My Beckers Story

Muscular Dystrophy Awareness in Malaysia

2012-02-01T06:09:00.000-08:00

When I first started the My Becker's Story blog I felt all alone in this, just two years ago I had never even met another person living with Muscular Dystrophy. I never even knew that I would connect with so many people from all over the world? Through the years I have been able to connect with more than a few people outside of North America. I recently connected with Fazz a fellow MD blogger from Malaysia who is on a mission to raise awareness about Muscular Dystrophy. In an effort to raise awareness Fazz and a few of his friends have taken it upon themselves to organize the public awareness campaign known as: 1000 Faces - Strike a Pose in Defying Muscular Dystrophy. In this post we will take a look at Fazz and his efforts to raise awareness in Malaysia.

Fazz

Here in North America we are more than lucky to have organizations such as MDA and Muscular Dystrophy Canada there to assist us. Currently in Malaysia there are no organizations or charities set up to address the specific needs of those living with Muscular Dystrophy. That is why I look at Fazz as a trailblazer since he is on a mission to improve the lives of Malaysian’s affected by neuromuscular disorders. The goal is to create a charity that is there to help those in need to help cover medical expenses and the cost associate with the purchase of wheelchairs. He hopes through raising awareness that he can lobby for better policies in his country concerning those living with Muscular Dystrophy. You might say that Fazz has a bit of a challenge on his hand but thanks to the support of a few key people he is off to a great start. He says: “Since he left his job almost two years ago for the first time he feels like he has something to focus on in his life. Something that is beneficial for him and others living with Muscular Dystrophy.”

He is truly dedicated to the cause and recently had to wake up at 5 AM to get ready for a TV interview on a local talk show to discuss his life and living with Muscular Dystrophy. Joining Fazz was his friend and Campaign Manager Razleena who talked about their public awareness initiative. He also recently joined Francissca Peter on the talk show sharing a bit more about the campaign, public perception regarding Muscular Dystrophy and how differently-abled people live. It was after Fazz set up his Facebook page about his life entitled Fazz Fadhilah vs. Muscular Dystrophy when he felt the urge to organize this public awareness campaign. He now plans to work very hard to gain a slot in the mainstream media to educate the public about Muscular Dystrophy and other issues related to the differently-abled. It looks like Fazz is already off to a great start and he says that he has gained so much input with what to do with his life and looks forward to more opportunities to raise awareness in 2012. Please (click here) to learn more about the 1000 Faces - Strike a Pose in Defying Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

Local couple win $50 million Lotto Max jackpot!

2012-01-27T11:56:00.000-08:00

First off I know you might be thinking what does this have to do with living with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy. But it actually has a lot to do with it since many of us wish we could win the lottery since for many of us it would enable us to purchase everything we need to help make our day to day lives a bit easier. When a local couple won the lottery I started thinking about what I would do if this happened to me. Like many of us with physical limitations I would go out and buy a more accessible vehicle or even a bungalow home which would be set up to meet all of my specific needs.

When it comes to playing the lottery for many of us winning will always remain a dream. And I am pretty sure we can all admit that hitting it big in the lottery is highly unlikely, this is why I was surprised when I heard that a local couple beat the odds and won $50 million. Many of us we could only imagine what it would be like to have that kind of money. I guess that is why so many of us play. Sure we know the odds are against us but we ignore this fact since a major win would change many of our lives. The couple who won in my city in an interview said that their dream of becoming home owners will now become reality. I know if I was in their shoes and had $50 million in the bank I really wouldn’t know what to do with it. That’s more than enough money for one person and the possibilities of what you could do with that kind of cash would be endless. You could take care of all your family and friends and you would still have plenty left over. I know I would donate a large amount of money to charity starting with Muscular Dystrophy Canada. I would have to try my best to avoid wasting money on cars and homes and instead use most of it to help others by donating funds to local food banks and charities. I really hope that’s on the agenda of those who have been lucky enough to win such a huge Lotto Max jackpot. In the end there’s no question millions of dollars would change all of our lives. Actually as I write this post tonight’s Lotto Max jackpot is an estimates $50 Million. And yes I do have a ticket for tonight's draw and like so many of us I am hoping tonight’s the night. But for many of us winning millions of dollars will only remain a dream. Now if someone is actually lucky enough to win tonight’s jackpot I hope they are as deserving as the couple who won in my city. Anyways good luck to those who bought a ticket you never know right?

If I am ever lucky enough to win I can't wait to move into a fully accessible bungalow like the one pictured below.

Photo from accessible home builder Kingsway Forest

Disability and Marriage , When Stairs become your worst enemy , The most dangerous part of my day & I need a new Kitchen!

This tool will change your life!

2012-01-11T12:03:00.000-08:00

I recent years due to the progression of muscular dystrophy I have been facing a few challenges - one issue is having trouble bending down to pick things up. Just a few months ago I started using this amazing tool which I found at my local dollar store. This is a very helpful pick-up/reaching aid that will change your life. Owning one of these has made my life alot easier especially on those days when it feels like all I do is drop things. Now there are two different types of pick-up/reaching aids to choose from and I suggest purchasing the one pictured in this blog post.

This one features and easy to use handle and an amazing pick up mechanism which is designed to allow you to grab a hold of anything you are trying to pick up or reach. You can purchase one of these from your local pharmacy or from your local dollar store. My suggestion is to go out and buy one of these today. I can tell you from my own experience I know what a difference this device makes.

Staying active and healthy

2012-01-02T15:17:00.000-08:00

When it comes living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy as we get older it is very important for us to take care of ourselves. When it comes to healthy living we all know the sooner we start the better. The typical things we can do to stay healthy is maintaining a healthy diet, limiting salt intake, staying active and avoid bad habits like smoking and excessive drinking. When it comes to living with Becker’s you eventually learn that is possible that as we get older we may face some heart related issues. That is why the key to living with Becker’s is to try and stay as active as possible that means going on walks and doing exercises that help keep our muscles moving. We all know that inactivity is not good thing and I do understand that for some of us staying active can be a bit of a challenge at times. But in the end it is worth it. All we have to do is our best knowing in the end we will benefit from staying active and living a healthier lifestyle.

In 2012 my personal goal is to take my health more seriously and this isn’t just a New Year’s Resolution - I have always tried to focus on being healthy. My plan has always been to do whatever it takes to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Over the last few years I have started eating healthier foods, reducing my salt intake and avoiding greasy foods. I also try and stay as active as possible knowing it may help to delay some of the complications related to living with Muscular Dystrophy. One complication for some of us can be heart related issues that is why ever since I turned 30 once a year I have a check-up with my local cardiologist. My latest appointment took place just before Christmas and actually went went very well. The day of my appointment started very early in the morning which turned out to be a good thing since I didn’t have to wait that long to have my echocardiogram completed. This is a procedure that takes about 20-30 minutes where the person performing the test takes an echo transducer covered in gel then moves it over your chest taking a detailed picture of your heart. This shows the shape, texture and movement of your heart valves, as well as the size of your heart chambers and how well they are working. For those of you having an echocardiogram for the first time you don’t have to worry it is really a painless procedure. My only complaint would have to be some of the positions they require you to lay in while they complete the testing which can be a bit of a challenge at times. That is why I am happy that it doesn’t take that long to complete. And once the echocardiogram is finished the results are sent off to the cardiologist for review. Thankfully that very same day the cardiologist goes over my results with me and just like last year he gave me great news. He said everything looks fine and that my results are normal for someone my age. But he did mention that as we get older we need to stay as healthy as possible and he also encouraged me to stay active and to continue eating healthier foods. So in 2012 that is exactly what I plan to do.

My Becker's Story: Top 5 blog posts of 2011

2011-12-22T12:11:00.000-08:00

With 2012 fast approaching here it is the Top 5 List of the most viewed My Becker's Story blog posts of 2011. Over the past year I have enjoyed meeting so many new people from parents to others living with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy. I am proud to let everyone know that the 2011 Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy was a great success and I can't wait to be a part of the event again in 2012. The My Becker's Story blog has seen major growth over the last year thanks to the support of people like you who have "Liked" the My Becker's Story Facebook page and have joined in spreading the word as well as following us on YouTube & Twitter. So with the start of a new year upon us it is now time to share with you the Top 5 most viewed blog posts of 2011.

My Becker's Story: Top 5 posts of 2011

#1 Living with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy: My Personal Story

#2 Life after being diagnosed with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy

#3 Great vehicles for those with disabilities - Review: 2012 Chevrolet Equinox

#4 A little bit about me the author of the My Becker's Story blog

#5 Handicap parking spaces and the harassment those with less recognizable disabilities face

I really can't wait for 2012 to start since 2011 turned out to be such a great year for the My Becker's Story blog. Most of all I am happy to learn that sharing my story is helping others and can't wait to connect with even more people in 2012. A few things do stand out about 2011 and revolve around a few of my dreams coming true. The first was having Autos.ca publish two of my accessible vehicle reviews: The Top 10 vehicles for people with disabilities and my review of the ultimate accessible vehicle The 2012 MV-1. The second was joining the 2011 Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy planning committee. I also really enjoyed having the opportunity of meeting someone else living with Becker's which was an amazing experience that I can't wait to do again soon.

My goals for the My Becker's Story blog in 2012 is to hopefully have a few blog posts published on other sites as well as a few more of my auto reviews. Most of all I hope to raise even more awareness about Muscular Dystrophy and look forward to meeting new people and bringing you more stories about my life and what it is like living with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy.

A special thank you to the people who helped make 2011 such an amazing year! Thank you for supporting & following the My Becker's Story blog!

Check out my review of the MV-1 on Autos.ca

2011-12-21T19:04:00.000-08:00

This time I take a look at what could be the ultimate accessible vehicle, to find out more and to read my review of the MV-1 please visit Autos.ca or click on the picture below:

Related Autos.ca Review

Top 10 vehicles for people with disabilities

Welcome to the My Becker's Story blog! Video

2011-12-11T14:41:00.000-08:00

A little bit about me the author of My Beckers Story ,

Muscular Dystrophy and MS are different medical conditions, so why the confusion? , Disability and Marriage & Muscular Dystrophy Perspectives: Brad

Click here for a list of all blog postings found here on the My Becker's Story blog

Join us on Facebook at: facebook.com/mybeckersstory

Great vehicles for people with disabilities - Review 2012 Nissan Juke

2011-12-09T14:03:00.000-08:00

When it comes to great vehicles for people with disabilities let’s be honest the Nissan Juke wouldn’t make the list but after driving the Juke I’d have to say I was quite impressed. The first thing you don’t want to do is let the unique looks of the 2012 Nissan Juke fool you - this is a great vehicle. When it comes to the exterior design of the 2012 Nissan Juke its seems like Nissan set out with the goal of creating a vehicle that stands out and I am sure we can all agree they exceeded that goal. The front end design is what stands out the most giving the Juke a very unique look. The rest of the Jukes exterior design is typical Nissan styling some may view it as odd but I really believe it represents what Nissan is all about creating vehicle that stands out - compared to the 370 Z the Nissan Juke fits in just fine.

So once you get over the looks of Juke you will discover it is a great little sports crossover that was designed with fun in mind. The Juke is a small sized vehicle that I believe was designed around the driver that was created to give drivers a pleasant and satisfying experience behind the wheel. The steering wheel is sporty and looks very similar to the one found in the Nissan 370Z and also features the always useful steering wheel mounted controls. The Juke feature Nissans Keyless entry system all you are provide with is a key fob which allows you to start the vehicle with a push of a button found on the dash. The unique dash design helps to give the Juke a sporty feel everything is well within reach and easy to use. Music lovers will really enjoy the optional Rockford Fosgate powered sound system that features a built in 8” subwoofer and amplifier which helps to takes your music listen experience to the next level. What I enjoyed most about the Jukes interior design was its centre console which Nissan claims was inspired by the curvaceous fuel tank of an Italian sports bike. The front seats found in the Juke are comfortable and offer great support to the driver and passenger a plus when driving the Juke in sport mode. An afterthought seems to be the rear seating which looks to only be designed for smaller passengers if you are a regular sized adult you will find the rear of the Juke a little cramped due to limited head room. Sure the Juke might be on the small side but that’s what makes it so fun to drive it actually feels more like a coupe then a four door sport crossover.

I really enjoyed my time with the Juke and was impressed by how much fun it was to drive. Sure it’s not a sports car but the Juke’s strongest points are its acceleration and handling which help to make it a fun vehicle to drive. Handling is further improved when you opt for Nissans Torque Vectoring AWD system that adjusts power side to side on the rear wheels which they claim will provide you grin-inducing grip around turns. The Juke is powered by a 188 Horse power 16-valve turbocharged 4-cylinder engine which is well suited to this light weight sports cross. Even though the noise from the engine could be described as somewhat loud it doesn’t ruin the experience. In the end I view the 2012 Nissan Juke as a small sized sports cross which was designed to make the driving experience more enjoyable. So if you are looking for a fun to drive fuel efficient vehicle the 2012 Nissan Juke might just be the perfect choice.

More pictures of the 2012 Juke can be found at the Brad's Auto Reviews Facebook page.

A look at the progression of Dan’s mobility

2011-12-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

When it comes to being diagnosed with any type of life altering condition it can be difficult but the truth is there are many people living with physical disabilities who remain positive an actually enjoy life. Sure there are a few issues we can face while living with a disability but I still know many people who are very happy and like having a good time. Some even keep a great sense of humor about things and they don’t allow their situation to get in their way of living life. A few are even happily married with children of their own and I am sure I could find many people who use power wheel chairs that will tell you they enjoy life it’s just they do things a little differently. Like anything in life you learn to adapt to your situation and many people who use power wheel chairs are successful at this. But I also understand that it can be difficult at times dealing with a physical disability that gets progressively worse and that it must be a big step for anyone having to transition from walking to using a wheel chair for the first time. So today on the My Becker’s Story blog I wanted to share with you a blog post written by Dan for the Life with Muscular Dystrophy blog entitled: “The evolution of my mobility”

Here's a unique look at the progression of Dan’s mobility in his own words:

A few weeks back I was rolling to my favorite coffee spot and hit a long stretch of sidewalk. Along this stretch I encountered what was essentially the progression of my mobility, all lined up in a row.

The first guy I passed was a slow and funky walker. It looked like each precarious step would be the last before he’d fall on his face. I remember those days.

The next guy I passed was using a cane. Although he looked slightly more nimble than the last guy, the cane seemed to be working really hard.

In front of him several yards was a homeless man pushing himself in a wheelchair, one foot dragging (or helping…I wasn’t sure). He was struggling a bit on this very flat surface. It reminded me of the day or two I spent trying to push myself around in a clunky manual chair.

Once I realized my arms were not strong enough to push my body around in a manual chair I went through a period of having someone push me around. Believe it or not, the next person I passed was an old lady being pushed, it appeared by her daughter, in a manual wheelchair.

As I breezed past all of these people in my power chair, I realized how valuable it is for me to be able to have the mobility I have now. Part of me wishes I had started using electric mobility sooner, but the other part of me knows that without the struggles of the transition, I might not appreciate what I have now.

Thank you Dan for allowing me to share this post with the readers of the My Becker's Story blog! If you would like to visit the Life with Muscular Dystrophy blog please (Click here)

Please use the links below to visit the My Becker's Story blog on Facebook, Twitter & YouTube!

2011-11-26T07:34:00.000-08:00

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Disability, Differently Abled or Abilities?

2011-11-21T07:32:00.000-08:00

When it comes to running a blog where you address issues that affect those of us living with physical disabilities I am always surprised to find that some people are actually offended by the use of the word “Disability”. Many people suggest that it might be better to stop using the word all together and that we should instead use the words “Differently abled”. Others aim to just use the word “Abilities” instead of “disability” since they only want us to focus on what persons capabilities are. Some even believe that it is better to ignore the negative parts of living with a disability but can we really tell our stories without including are struggles? Is the word “disability” really something so negative?

In some societies and yes in some people eyes having a disability is viewed as a negative but the truth is we are just like anyone else we just do things a little bit differently. Could you say we are "differently abled" sure why not? Throughout the years I have never been offended by other people living with disabilities who use words like “differently abled” or “abilities” when it comes to talking about those of us living with some type of physical limitation. That is why I hope no one is offended when I use the word “disability” in a few of the posts you find here on the My Becker’s Story blog. The truth about those of us living with disabilities is that we have a lot of good things going on in our lives and many of us are very happy people and even though we may have certain limitations we are just like everyone else. We all do the same things we go to the movies, hanging out with friends, go to the mall, restaurants; churches and even attend college and university. Many of us choose to not allow our conditions to hold us back from accomplishing anything and a lot of us go on to live successful lives that is why I believe the word “disability” actually represents strength. To me the word “disability” makes me want to strive harder and just like anyone else I too want to be successful in life and maybe I can’t do it physically but mentally I am as strong as the next person. And like they say; "You can accomplish anything if you put your mind to it" and it doesn’t surprise me that many people living with physical disabilities are amazingly smart people who go on to become anything they want to in life. I am sure you could ask anyone with a disability who has become successful and they will tell you the word “disability” doesn’t have to represent a negative. They would also tell you; “Life is what you make it” that means no matter what you still have the ability to achieve your dreams. Sure you might have to go about it in a different way but in the end you will get there. So whatever word you want to use to describe your situation whether it’s “disability”, “differently abled” or even if you want to only focus on using the word “abilities” that’s ok with me I will never be offended. In the end the truth is the word "disability" doesn't always have to represent something negative.

Becker's Muscular Dystrophy

2011-11-08T06:22:00.001-08:00

Becker's Muscular Dystrophy is a muscle disorder that affects every muscle in the body, over time the condition get’s progressively worse resulting from muscle wasting. The truth is there can be a lot of issues one can face when living with Becker’s, this can range from slips and falls, heart condition’s, mobility issues, problems climbing stairs, issue’s walking and standing up from a low position and for some even upper arm issues. Thankfully, though most people with Becker’s can look forward to enjoying a normal lifespan exceeding past their 50’s and 60’s. Though the use of a wheel chair or cane can become a reality as early as age 30.

I created the My Becker's Story blog in 2010 to share my story to help raise awareness about people like me who are living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy

join me as I share my story at the My Becker's Story blog.

For a more indepth look at Becker's you can visit Muscular Dystrophy Canada at: muscle.ca

Faith and disability

2011-11-07T11:34:00.000-08:00

When it comes to the subject of faith or a belief in God we can all admit at times this can be a very touchy subject, but we can’t deny the truth that for some living with disabilities a belief in God helps them make it through life. I was recently asked a very interesting question about faith and disability that I believe deserves an honest answer. A few months ago a fellow BMD blogger named Fazz from Malaysia asked the question: “Has religion or spirituality played a role in you coming to terms with your condition?”

Today I wanted to share with you my answer to this question to help you understand my thought's on faith and disability. So here is my response to the questions: “Has religion or spirituality played a role in you coming to terms with your condition?” I said: “Great question Fazz! I think it does have an affect! You see I am a Christian and believe my faith helps me immensely even though there are still time’s when I do find it hard to accept the affects that Muscular Dystrophy has on my day to day life. And in times of frustration my belief really does help me through those hard times. I really believe that everyone needs something to help them get through this life, I have also found that along with a faith in God that listening to music helps take my mind off of things. I guess we all just have to find what works for us but this is what I believe. And I know some people may question: “If you’re a Christian then why hasn't God healed you yet?” I would have to respond by telling them that in the bible it says in heaven there’s no more sickness or pain so that must mean some of us may have to wait until we get there to be healed. Until then I just have to trust in God that one day they might find a cure for all forms of Muscular Dystrophy! Again I know that the subject of spirituality/religion is an extremely touchy subject for some but for me my belief in God has played a huge role in me accepting my life as a young man living with

Becker Muscular Dystrophy.”

Throughout my life there have been many occasions when my belief in God has helped me through some really tough times. Just imagine the time in my life when I was lost my two daughters to still birth talk about the most devastating thing that has even happened in my life and the only way I made it through was due to my trust in God. Sure I was left questioning God asking him how could you let this happen, why didn’t you answer my prayers? I am sure these are typical questions that anyone who has lost a child or loved one would ask. I think we need to understand that in life things don’t always happen for a reason sometimes thing happen that make no sense but that doesn’t mean we should give up on our faith. Throughout the years of living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy I have learned that life can be difficult and unpredictable at times. The truth is life isn’t easy for many people and it really doesn’t matter who you are at one time of another things happen that make no sense. I don’t know why I am the only one in my family who has ever been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy but there nothing I can do to change that fact. Some time’s we have to accept that this is the hand we were dealt in life and thanks to my belief in God I just accepted it and kept on living my life. So when it comes to faith & disability the truth is for some of us it does plays a big role in our lives.

As you can see no question is off limits here at the My Becker`s Story blog. If you would like to send me questions or are looking for someone to talk to please feel free to contact me at:

my-beckers-story@hotmail.com

Welcome to the My Becker's Story blog

2011-10-26T06:25:00.001-07:00

My name is Brad I am a Canadian blogger/freelance journalist who is living with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy. I created the My Becker's Story blog in 2010 to share my story to help raise awareness about Muscular Dystrophy.

Here at the My Becker's Story blog I share my story, review cars, raise awareness about Becker's and the issues people with disabilities face. My Story represents the truth of my life and living with Muscular Dystrophy, my struggles and concerns when it comes to living with a disability. Over the years while growing up with Muscular Dystrophy I have been surprised to learn how many people don’t really know too much about it. At times that can be very frustrating, and still to this day there are people out there who still think I have MS, when I really have MD. So here I am to raise awareness about Muscular Dystrophy, and to help give people a better understanding of what it is like living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy.

So what is Becker Muscular Dystrophy?

Becker Muscular Dystrophy is a muscle disorder that affects every muscle in the body, over time the condition get’s progressively worse resulting from muscle wasting. The truth is there can be a lot of issues one can face when living with Becker’s, this can range from slips and falls, heart condition’s, mobility issues, problems climbing stairs, issue’s walking and standing up from a low position and for some even upper arm issues. Thankfully, though most people with Becker’s can look forward to enjoying a normal lifespan exceeding past their 50’s and 60’s. Though the use of a wheel chair or cane can become a reality as early as age 30.

What people are saying about the My Becker's Story blog:

"Hi there, I also suffer from BMD. Just read the blog and the first half is like reading my personal history!!"

"I ran across your spot today, you sure have a lot on here I will have to check in a lot. I also have BMD and everything you say resonnates deeply."

"I am also in mid-30s with Becker's from the UK so thought i'd join and say hello! Struggling with all the same things as mentioned in the blog!"

"I am new to this group. Just want to say it is nice to meet people who understand."

A little bit about me the author of My Beckers Story ,

Muscular Dystrophy and MS are different medical conditions, so why the confusion? , Disability and Marriage & Muscular Dystrophy Perspectives: Brad

Click here for a list of all blog postings found here on the My Becker's Story blog

Join us on Facebook at: facebook.com/mybeckersstory

Accessible parking: Tara's story

2011-10-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

Today I wanted to share with you a comment that was posted on the My Becker's Story blog concerning my blog post "Handicap parking spaces and the harassment those with less recognizable disabilities face". This comment was made by a young women named Tara who is living with Charcot Marie tooth disease. Her story help us take a closer look at the harassment some people face when it comes to using accessible parking. I really believe Tara's comments help to shed more light on the issue and shows how some people's ignorance can cause problems for others.

Here's Tara comments:

I can't agree with you more!!! I'm 28 and have Charcot Marie tooth disease, I wear two AFO's (leg braces) but my physical disability is not that visibly obvious. I too have been screamed at, cursed, threatened with police action or physical harm. The most alarming incident though is when a parking enforcer left a ticket on my window claiming I stole the disability sign. I had to go to court twice the first time the "judge" needed to reschedule this to a closed court room after I had presented my valid parking permit and the parking enforcer tried to state it had been reported stolen. To which I replied he was lying. The second trial I had a letter stating that my parking pass had never been reported stolen. When the judge called the case the district or parking enforcers decided to dismiss the ticket. I wanted to further pursue this as I had my evidence (a part of me wanted him fired) but was afraid they would somehow win (as they already had lied) because the judge didn't officially hear this case it is not entered into any public records. The parking enforcer is still working and was praised (during the dismissing of the ticket) as a senior supervisor and very trustworthy. I wonder how many times this happens that parking enforcers can flat-out lie, be ignorant especially in there field of work but be protected by the government. I can understand the public not realizing physical disabilities come in many forms but someone who tickets vehicles and works for the city should be educated that you cannot look at someone and diagnose if they have a legitimate need for that parking or not. I think these situations really need to be a part of public record so that people working for the city are held accountable for their snap judgments.

I can understand that the public might think I don't have a disability, and when they confront me I kindly point out the fact that I have a valid permit. If they continue I politely state that physical disabilities come in many forms, some that are not as visually obvious as being in a wheel chair or being elderly.

Please if you have the time visit Tara's blog at: https://rebelleftfoot.wordpress.com/

Click here for a list of all blog postings found here on the My Becker's Story blog

Local church aims to become fully accessible

2011-10-18T06:08:00.000-07:00

Let’s face it we live in a world that really isn’t all that accessible to those of us living with physical disabilities. Sure over the years there have been major improvements in the area of accessibility but the truth is there is still a lot more work to be done in this area. Many agree things need to change and recently here in Ontario our Government passed legislation which requires every building to be made fully accessible by the year 2025. This is a great move and sure this is a long ways away but this means right now that many companies and organizations are now facing some major decisions some are considering relocating others are looking into costly renovations. Along with many corporations churches are also facing major issues related to creating a place that is fully accessible to all its members. Some are in the process of making the appropriate changes others have no other choice but to constructing new buildings in order to comply with these new regulations.

Over the last few years due to the progression of my becker’s muscular dystrophy I have had to make a few tough decisions due to in-accessibility one being less involved with my home church. The reason almost every program that takes place there happens in the basement and my issues revolve around my inability to use stairs - unfortunately the lack of an elevator has really limited my ability to socialize and participate in many church activities. I am sure you can understand I find this very frustrating since there’s really nothing I could do about it, eventually I stopped going to my home church since I felt like if I can’t join in every function what’s the point. Thinking about it the biggest part of the problem has to do with when this church was constructed it was the early 70’s a time when accessibility wasn’t even a concern and building codes at the time did even take into consideration the needs of those of us living with disabilities. But thankfully times have changed. This past weekend I learned that my frustrations with in-accessibility might soon be coming to an end you see my church recently announced that they plan to build a updated more accessible building which will include a new more accessible auditorium, lobby, library and support facility. Their main goal is to create a gathering place where people with physical limitations can access every part of the building allowing them to be involved in every aspect of church life. Being able to socialize with friends and be more involved is what accessibility is all about and once they are able to raise enough money and this building is completed my life an the life of others will improve immensely. This is why I really hope to see this vision fulfilled as it will remove many of the barriers I currently face. At this time King Street Church is currently in the process of raising funds to finance this project. Let's hope they raise enough money very soon as it will result in a new barrier free fully accessible building.

To learn more about this project please click on picture below

How to promote your blog

2011-10-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

Since the start of the My Becker’s Story blog I have met a large amount of people who have expressed a lot of interest in starting up a blog of their own. A few months ago I complete the post entitled “Starting you own blog” providing you with a few suggestions on how to choose the right name and how to create a blog page that is visually appealing. Today I would like to share with you my latest post entitled “How to promote your blog” where I take a look at a few of the ways you can grow and maintain a successful blog.

When it comes to blogging it’s honestly a time consuming activity and if you are dedicated and willing put in the time you will be successful at leading people to your blog page. When I first started the My Becker’s Story blog for the first few months no one was visiting my page to me it was a massive failure and at that time I chose to delete the My Becker’s Story page and gave up on blogging all together. Over the next few months I did a little bit of research on what it takes to run a successful blog page and through it all no matter what resource I was reading promotion was always at the top of the list. So I once again decided to create the My Becker’s Story blog but this time I was going to promote my page and do what it takes to make it successful.

Facebook and why it is so important to the success of any blog

When I started the My Becker's Story blog the first thing I had to do is reach out to my target audience which happened to be people like me who are living with Muscular Dystrophy. From the start having a Facebook group page has been a vital part of running my blog as it has become the largest source of total views the My Becker’s Story blog receives. The most amazing thing about Facebook is that it allows you to connect with people from all over the world allowing you to reach a wide range of people. Along with using a Facebook page to promote your blog posts you will want to find other pages similar to yours to post on. Once you start looking you might be surprised at how many pages you find when I did my search I was amazed at how many pages I found dedicated to Muscular Dystrophy. Facebook allows you to meet so many people and if you have great quality content you will have little to no trouble finding support for what you are doing. Thanks to Facebook over the last few months I have met and formed relationships with many great people who have the same goal as me to raise awareness about Muscular Dystrophy. So you can see once you have created your blog page the next step is to create Facebook page to connect with your target audience, but be patient sometime it will take a while for your Facebook page to grow.

Using Twitter, YouTube and other social networking sites to promote your blog

To Twitter or not to Twitter? That is the Question. To be honest twitter is very useful tool since it is a great way to connect with a wider range of people. The way it works you simply follow someone and most times they follow you as well that means all of their followers will see who they follow which will help lead a few more viewers your way. It’s also a great way to keep followers of your blog who use Twitter up to date with your latest posts. Now the best way to gain followers is to follow many people along with organizations who share your same interests this way some people may re-tweet your latest post helping you gain even more viewers. When it comes to the My Becker’s Story Twitter page it has really help me gain more viewers and it has even helped me meet and connect with many different people from around the world. Another great way to promote your blog is to open your own YouTube account and post short videos promoting your blog and blog postings. In recent months I have seen a major jump in views of certain posts which I have created YouTube videos for so if you have the time and are willing to learn how to make videos for YouTube you will see results. One of the best ways to promote your blog is to use sites such StumbleUpon.com and Zimbio. The site I have been most impressed with is StumbleUpon.com since it is very easy to use - all you have to do is copy and paste the web address of your blog post then complete a short review then it is added to their site it’s that simple. Next is Zimbio which is another easy service to use maybe the easiest especially if you link your blog page to your account then all you have to do is choose from a list of all your posts and pick the one’s you want to add and that’s it. Sites like these do go a long way in increasing readership of your blog so if you have the time adding content to these sites might just be worth it.

Advertising on your blog: A look at Google AdSense & Amazon Associates

Now once you have been successful at creating and promoting your blog the next thing you may be tempted to do is place advertising on your blog page. Currently the most popular programs are Google AdSense & Amazon Associates both claim they have the ability to make you money. First let’s take a look at Google AdSense this is a program that I have used in the past and just recently ended up removing from my blog page due to disappointing results. You see Google AdSense basis you revenue on add clicks and after you have reached $100 worth of ad clicks Google will then send you a check for $100. This program is only successful if people click on the ads Google places on your blog page ads that they believe are relevant to your blog readers. The facts are many people are very hesitant these days to click on ad and some people don’t like seeing advertising on blog pages. In just over 2 years of using Google Ad Sense based on the amount of ad clicks I have received I have only accumulated about $20 worth of ad revenue that is why I chose to remove advertising from my blog. In my experience Google Ad Sense and Amazon Associates is just a waste of time when it comes to advertising on your blog you have to be careful you don’t want people to think you’re only in it to make money. When it comes to my thoughts on Amazon Associates you pretty much are working for Amazon pushing products on your blog readers which doesn’t always go over that well with people who frequent your blog page. Now there are other ways of making money from your blog when it comes to blogging the truth is many people who have them are freelance journalist who use blogging as a way to get their content out there. The main reason I started the My Becker’s Story blog was due to the fact that I couldn’t find any publishers interesting in publishing any of my articles. The facts are I haven't made any money from the My Becker's Story blog just yet but when opportunities present them self like they did when it came to writing the article for Autos.ca it helps me raise more awareness about Muscular Dystrophy and it also helps me as I pursue a career as a freelance journalist. All I can say is when it comes to blogging do it because you love it not to make money - in reality rarely do blog pages ever become so successful that they create a second income for you.

A look at blog page donate buttons

The next thing you may be tempted to do is add a Donate button to your blog and I am sure like me you have heard stories about people raising a lot of money this way. I really believe the days of making big money from running a blog might just be over - these days people have limited incomes and donating to your blog might even upset some people. Sure you are providing people with a lot of great info but that doesn’t mean your blog readers are willing to donate their hard earned money to help you pay your bills. Asking for donations is a tricky thing to do and sure some people are successful at it but the truth is most people are only willing to donate to reputable organizations. The only time I have asked for donations on the My Becker’s Story blog is when I was involved in raising funds for the 2011 Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy. These days people want to know where their money is going and with all the scams that have popped up in recent years you can understand why Donate buttons don’t really work anymore.

In the end I really hope a few my suggestion found here in this blog post go a long way in helping you when it comes time to create your own blog. Good luck!

Aviva Community Fund: CentreTowne Foundation of Hope

2011-09-26T16:06:00.000-07:00

I support idea #10967 in the Aviva Community Fund contest! Voting begins October 3 at 12 PM ET and I will be voting for the Habitat for Humanity "CentreTowne Foundation of Hope" - Habitat for Humanity Durham is a faith based charitable organization that empowers low income families to break the cycle of poverty through affordable home ownership.

The affordable housing issue in our region is addressed by long waiting lists for poor quality rental units. To be able to help 24 families get off that list and experience home ownership is what Habitat for Humanity hopes to be able to do. Providing affordable housing is more than an act of generosity; it is a strategic investment in the future of our partner families as well as our communities. At Habitat for Humanity Durham they can only fulfill their promise with the generous help of others. They are here to make a difference, but they need your help.

Voting begins October 3 at 12 PM ET

"CentreTowne Foundation of Hope"

Walk for Muscular Dystrophy

2011-09-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

On May 29th of 2011 I joined the Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy a yearly event which takes place in my community. Every year Walks are scheduled in more than 30 cities and towns across Canada. Last year the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy raised over $1,000,000 in 53 locations across Canada. In 2011, Muscular Dystrophy Canada celebrated the 4th annual Walk for Muscular Dystrophy as their national signature fundraising event in support of Canadians affected by neuromuscular disorders. I am already looking forward to next years Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy and with every ones support next years event will be a great success as well!

To learn more go to: muscle.ca/walk

Disability and Marriage

2011-09-14T16:37:00.000-07:00

When it comes to living with a disability and being in a relationship it can definitely be a challenge at times but the same can be said about any relationship. Ask anyone with a disability either married or in a relationship and I am sure they will tell you that having a disability can introduce some unique challenges in to their relationships. Now I am also sure that they would tell you that they have learned a thing or two about what works when it comes to being in a relationship while having a disability. Living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy and being married I have learned a few things that I believe may be able to help those of you currently in a relationship.

Every day thanks to the My Becker’s Story blog I meet more and more people who are in relationships or married to someone living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy. And it seems like so many of us are successful at making it work despite many of the issue we face related to the progression of Muscular Dystrophy. Sometimes I wonder what is it like for a wife to see her husband slowly lose his abilities and continue to need more and more assistance from her as they get older? Like most people living with Becker’s our stories start out almost the same you see when I first meet my wife things were very different from the way they are today the truth is as things change I worry about the affect my condition will have on my wife. Most of the frustration I feel revolves around my wife having to do so many things for me such as all the heavy lifting and some of the household chores such as the laundry and a good part of the household cleaning. Like many of the other people I have met who are living with Becker’s I have heard how they too at times feel frustrated wishing they could help out more. Sometime these small issues can affect a relationship but there are a few things we can do to improve our lives and the lives of those we are in the relationship with.

Relationships & how finding the right place to live can make a big difference:

Quite possibly the most important thing we can do that will help make our lives a lot easier is to do our best to find some place to live that is fully accessible. This will go a long way in helping any relationship since living in a place that is set up to handle all of your specific needs will allow you to be more involved in the day to day running of your household - taking a bit of the pressure off of your wife. Now I know not everybody can afford to purchase or live in an accessible home so I write this post with the aim of making people more aware of the needs of those of us living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy. When it comes to purchasing or renting an apartment or home finding the right place can be a difficult task, one suggestion I have is to look for a place that is either already fully accessible or can be made accessible in the future. Finding the perfect home can result in making your life less stressful which in the end will benefit not only you but your wife as well. Now the first room that is very important to those of us living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy or pretty much any disability is the bathroom. This one room can become a major source of frustration for many of us - from my own experience I know how difficult it can be just stepping in and out of a tub. This is why I would suggest trying to find an apartment or home that comes with a large size walk in shower since it will be a necessity in the future. Next up is the kitchen this is another room that can be a bit of a problem for those of us with Muscular Dystrophy so you will want to try and find a place with a good sized kitchen. And if it is possible if you can afford it you will want to install

Examples of Accessible Features

bottom cabinet sliding drawers as this will help when it comes time to get a pot or pan from an area that can be a difficult place for most of us to access. As far as appliances go and I know they can be a little pricey but again if you can afford it you may want to purchase a side by side fridge which will make both the freezer and fridge very accessible. The next room you may want to look at is the laundry room which in recent years has been the cause of a lot of difficulty for me – for those who don’t know doing the laundry is a time consuming task which surprisingly involves a lot of physical activity. That why I would suggest trying to live in a place where the washer & dryer are easily accessible that way doing laundry won’t be such a problem. So if you are able to find a way to live in a home or apartment that is fully accessible this will go a long way in taking away a lot of the stress related to having a disability and being in a relationship.

Example of an accessible home built with ramp/walkway leading to front entrance

When it comes to relationships many of us with disabilities really don’t want any special treatment most of us just want to be treated like everyone else. Truth is many of us actually do want to help out around the house and when we can’t we feel bad because it seems like all our wives do is take care of us. And I know many of us just want to be able to live our lives without always having to asking for assistance that is why I really wish I was able to take my own advice and move into a fully accessible home. It’s just not possible and like many our income plays a big role in where we can live and I am sure more than a few of us can’t afford to buy or build a new home. And I know that it can be difficult task finding a home or apartment to rent that is fully accessible and like many of us living with disabilities I too wish a show like ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover would build me a fully accessible home but that’s not reality. We just have to do our best to find the perfect home or apartment to live in - the truth is like anything in life the more money you have the more you can do. So you will want to try and do your best to stay out of debt as this can also be a big source of stress on any relationship. Now I know there can be many costs associated with living with Muscular Dystrophy but thankfully organization such a MDA, Muscular Dystrophy Canada and many others are there to assist many of us by helping to cover the costs of purchasing mobility related devices - which helps make our lives and the lives of our loved ones much easier.

As you can see when it comes to living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy and being in a relationship there are certain things you can do that will go a long way in helping your relationship succeed.

Photos in this post from: kingswayforest.ca builder of accessible home in my community

Muscular Dystrophy Perspectives: Brad

2011-09-08T13:49:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I was invited by another Becker MD blogger, Dan, who thought it would be a great idea to swap questions with another person with Becker muscular dystrophy to help add some additional perspective and dive into some of the thoughts those of us with muscular dystrophy have. Below you will find my answers to a few questions Dan asked me related to living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy.

1. When you look at someone in a wheelchair, what do you see or how does it make you feel?

When I see someone in a wheelchair selfishly I think of myself, seeing some in a wheelchair to me represents something I may be in need of one day. My thoughts quickly turn to the cost associated with living life in a wheelchair, getting around in the winter, the costs involved in making a home 100% accessible, the Kitchen and the Bathroom being my biggest worry. So what I see when I look at someone in a wheelchair is change a new way of life, what I see is my future.

2. Pretend the universe split in two the moment you found out you had MD and there were now two of you living in parallel universes. The current you has muscular dystrophy and the other does not. What would the “you” that didn’t have MD be doing right now? Is there anything the real you has done/learned/experienced that your other “you” would never have?

If I didn’t have MD right now I would quite possibly be a very successful professional race car driver something I would have been able to peruse if I didn’t have Muscular Dystrophy. Maybe I would have been able to become many different things without MD but I wouldn’t be the same person I am today.

The real me has done some amazing things but even without MD I believe I would have perused the same dreams. And I really hope that I would have gone through the same experiences and learned all the same lessons the main ones being caring for others and the importance of family and friends.

3. What’s a feeling or worry you have that you think you might never “get over” and why not?

These days I tend to worry about the day when I can no longer climb stairs and what effect it will have on my ability to visit with family and friends. In recent years stairs have really become my worst enemy since they create all sorts of issues for me especially when I am invited over to someone`s home. These days many homes have finish basements and that’s where most people like to spend their time and this creates a major problem for me. I hate the fact that my issue with stairs is starting to limit my ability to socialize. This is an issue that I worry about all the time and know I will never get over this issue especially if it keeps me from spending my time with friends and family.

4. Do you have any other in-person (i.e. not online) friends with disabilities — MD or otherwise? If so, what have you learned from them?

I do have a people in my life who I know who also have disabilities. What I have learned from them is that it is good to try and enjoy your life and that a great sense of humor goes a long way.

5. Pretend you could be a member of any TV family (e.g. Cosbys, Simpsons, etc) which would you want to be a member of and why?

I would want to be a member of the Duke Family mainly Bo Duke from 80`s TV show the Dukes of Hazzard since it looks like it would have been a lot of fun driving the General Lee.

To visit Dan's blog please go to: http://musculardystrophybook.com/

Getting to know Muscular Dystrophy Canada

2011-09-06T12:05:00.000-07:00

September begins Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s Awareness campaign. Over 50,000 Canadians are affected by a neuromuscular disorder. Through awareness-building, information and education, and by funding leading-edge research, you can be the link to help them enhance the lives of those affected by neuromuscular disorders. With September being about spreading Awareness I thought it would be a great idea to help you get to know Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

Muscular Dystrophy Canada is a not-for-profit organization committed to finding a cure for neuromuscular disorders through well funded research. Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s dedicated volunteers and staff across the country raise funds to enhance the lives of those affected by over 150 different kinds of neuromuscular disorders by continually working to provide ongoing support and resources. Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s mission is to enhance the lives of those affected with neuromuscular disorders by continually working to provide ongoing support and resources while relentlessly searching for a cure through well funded research. Today Muscular Dystrophy Canada has 38 chapters and two affiliates in communities across Canada, with thousands of volunteers helping them raise funds so they can provide services to tens of thousands of Canadians affected by neuromuscular disorders.

Muscular Dystrophy Canada delivers a variety of programs within 5 key areas of service: Education; Information; Advocacy; Support; and Equipment. If you or someone you know is affected by muscular dystrophy, they are here to help. Muscular Dystrophy Canada offers a wide range of services and programs. They are committed to improving the lives of people with neuromuscular disorders.

Here’s a few ways Muscular Dystrophy Canada is helping:

Services:

We all know wheelchairs, scooters, orthotics, hospital beds and other essential equipment can cost tens of thousands of dollars annually. Muscular Dystrophy Canada aims to reduce the burden on families by helping to provide funding for new equipment, as well as batteries and repairs. In some situations, they may also be able to provide equipment on loan.

Support:

You are not alone! Muscular Dystrophy Canada staff and volunteers are there to point you in the right direction. Their knowledgeable services staff can provide referrals and contact information to neuromuscular clinics, agencies and other community resources to find solutions to the day-to-day problems you face.

If you are a Canadian and have been diagnosis with a neuromuscular disorder, I encourage you to register with Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Registration is free of charge. And as a registered client, you will have access to all of their services.

Muscular Dystrophy Canada also offers up-to-date information about the different types of neuromuscular disorders and research that is helping to find effective cures and therapies. Since 1954 Muscular Dystrophy Canada has put more than $64 million towards research.

So please help them raise awareness about Muscular Dystrophy during the month of September by visiting Muscular Dystrophy Canada on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube and please feel free to share a link or two with all your friends.

Please consider sharing this YouTube video with your friends.

As a registered client of Muscular Dystrophy Canada I would like to thank all the volunteers & supporters for all their efforts and hard work!

If you would like to get involved in helping Muscular Dystrophy Canada raise funds or if you want to become a supporter please contact them here.

"My Becker's Story" Latest YouTube video!

2011-08-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

A look at peoples ignorance when it comes to the use of handicap parking spaces. To me it is truly sad that some people have no clue about what a disability is or what it looks like, what people need to learn is that a disability can affect anyone, even those who still have the ability to walk.

This is a YouTube video I made for the post : Handicap parking spaces and the harassment those with less recognizable disabilities face

Visit the My Becker's Story YouTube page.

I hope everyone enjoyed the summer

2011-08-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it summer is almost over! And what a great summer it has been so far. I am happy to report I have made it this far without one fall guess that’s one of the perks of the season though with the end of the summer fast approaching it means winter is on its way. What a joy for some but a nightmare for others and I know some people fully understand what I am talking about. Winter is the time of year when most of us wished we lived somewhere warmer maybe Florida or even Hawaii two places where winter really isn’t an issue.

When it comes to the summertime it always starts the same way - for many of us with physical disabilities we are just happy to have our freedom back. Over the years I have learned that one of the most annoying things about having a disability is being trapped inside during the winter due to poor weather conditions. So once the summer arrives I view it as a time for me to get out there and do as much as I possibly can. Each and every summer my wife and I plan to take a few trips one to Niagara Falls and a few to visit family and even one to the Toronto Zoo. As you can see I am still able to get out there and enjoy the summer sure I may have to take a few breaks but just like everyone else I want to get out there and have a good time. One of my favorite places to go in the summer is down to the local beach where I usually go for a short walk or sit on a bench enjoying the day. Since I hate the winter so much I really enjoy being outside relaxing and enjoying the summer weather. It is very nice to be able to take a break or get away for a few days and when living with a disability the summer is really the best time to do it. I really believe I am very lucky to live in an area where there are plenty of things to do during the summertime. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to get together with friends and drive a half hour east of the city we live in an go to an amazing beach in the city of Cobourg. Sometimes we even go and see a movie at the drive-in movie theatre and sure there are times when having Becker Muscular Dystrophy causes problems for me but I still do my best to have a good time.

Cobourg beach

Now when it comes to the arrival of winter everything changes like many people with disabilities already know in the winter even simple tasks like crossing the parking lot to get to your car can become very difficult. Many of us already know by now that deep snow, slush and ice are really not a good mixture for those of us living with disabilities. Sometimes I wish I could move somewhere warmer to avoid all the issues I face in the winter time. I know that’s not possible for many of us but there are something’s we can do to take away some of the stress we face in the winter. The first one being if you’re going to live in an apartment building make sure you try and find one with underground parking that way you will never have to scrap your car off or dig yourself out of a snow bank. Second if you own a home see if your city offers a service during the winter months where they will come and clear your driveway and walkways for you. As the winter approaches I always regret living in a building with no underground parking sadly most of the building that do prove this type of parking are all seniors only buildings. That’s why like many people I hope to one day win it big in the lotto that way I could just build a home with a garage that I could just drive into and enter my home from there. Like most people I hate having to clean off my car in the winter and the worst thing is when the snow plow comes and piles a big snow bank behind your vehicle. I am sure many home owners who have disabilities love the freedom there garage gives them during the winter time. I hope to one day be in their shoes as well but for now I will just deal with my situation as best as I can. And I am sure winter is a pain for all of us but as of today summer is not over just yet - so we still have bit of time to get out there and enjoy what’s left of the summer - let’s just hope winter never comes.

Muscular Dystrophy Perspectives: Dan

2011-08-22T11:25:00.000-07:00

I was recently invited by another Becker MD blogger, Dan, who thought it would be a great idea to swap questions with another person with Becker muscular dystrophy to help add some additional perspective and dive into some of the thoughts those of us with muscular dystrophy have. Dan offers his insights regularly on his blog, Life with Muscular Dystrophy, which you can follow on Twitter. Dan has Becker's, is currently using a wheelchair and is also doing some great things despite having MD. Thank you Dan for taking the time to answer these questions!

1. When it comes to the daily use of a wheelchair what was it like when you first starting using one, was it a difficult proccess adjusting to this new way of life?

Because I was having so much trouble walking and stressing out about it, the first day I used a wheelchair was a huge relief. The initial stresses of learning how to use the chair and navigate were so small compared to the stress of walking. I remember the first day I used the wheelchair I went out on the sidewalk and had to call a friend on my phone to "go along" for the ride because I was nervous. But shortly thereafter, it became second nature and was not difficult at all. It definitely improved my life beyond measure. Nowadays the only thing that makes me nervous is pushing open a glass door so sometimes I just time my entrance such that a walking person will just beat me to the door and then hold it open!

2. Pretend the universe split in two the moment you found out you had MD and there were now two of you living in parallel universes. The current you has muscular dystrophy and the other does not. What wouldthe "you" that didn't have MD be doing right now? Is there anything the real you has done/learned/experienced that your other "you" wouldnever have?

I think the other "me" would probably have had to learn life's lessons the hard way. I think I was a lot more selfish prior to having to really deal with muscular dystrophy. I can imagine that the other "me" would definitely have been more active in sports and other things like that but I can also imagine the other "me" getting into a lot of trouble.

3. What's a feeling or worry you have that you think you might never"get over" and why not?

I think because I have gotten over a lot of my worries, I know I will be able to adjust and cope with whatever challenges come my way. It wasn't always like this, however. As a teenager I thought that using a wheelchair would be unimaginably difficult but obviously that perspective has changed. So whenever I think about future concerns I remember there will likely be a way to "get over" that as well.

4. Do you have any other in-person (i.e. not online) friends with disabilities -- MD or otherwise? If so, what have you learned from them? If not, why?

I met a lot of people with disabilities when I started playing wheelchair tennis. Although we're still scattered all over the place I manage to keep in touch even though I'm not playing tournaments as much as before. I learned several things from them. First, that it's alright to ask for help. Second, that my disability could be much worse and I'd still be fine. Third, that disability doesn't have to matter. Of course there's more than that, but those are the big three.

5. Pretend you could be a member of any TV family (e.g. Cosbys, Simpsons, etc) which would you want to be a member of and why?

A lot of my favorite shows revolve more around a group of friends as"family" than actual family, so I'd have to say that being the 7th friend on "Friends" would probably be fun. In case any family members of mine are reading this, that doesn't mean I'd rather have my own friends as family instead!

Please click here to view my Questions and answers found at the Life with Muscular Dystrophy blog.

NEW Muscular Dystrophy Connect tab

2011-08-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

I recently added a link to the blog entitled: Muscular Dystrophy Connect.
I created this link to help connect you with websites about Muscular Dystrophy from around the world. There you will find sites from Canada, Malaysia, Ireland, Australia and the USA. The aim is to help everyone become more familiar with the Supports & Services that are available to them.

Under the Muscular Dystrophy Connect tab you will find even more stories about people living with Becker's as well as other forms of Muscular Dystrophy!

To view the NEW tab please use the link below!

http://my-beckers-story.blogspot.com/p/md-connect.html

My Travel Review: Niagara Falls

2011-08-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada

When it comes to vacationing with a disability there’s usually a few things you may need to do to ensure that your vacation is a pleasant one. Earlier this summer I spent some time in Niagara Falls and I would like to share with you a few tips that I have for anyone who is planning a trip to the area.

If you have a disability the first thing you need to do is make sure you reserve a hotel room that is fully accessible. You don’t want to automatically assume that booking a reservation at well-known hotel will guarantee you an accessible stay. This year I actually made this mistake when making a reservation at the Comfort Inn on Clifton Hill which ended up being a hotel that due to its age is unable to meet the needs of guests with disabilities. So you need to make sure that when you are making your reservation that you find out if the hotel you are planning to stay at is fully accessible. Even though I wouldn’t suggest staying at the Comfort Inn on Clifton Hill there are a many hotels in Niagara Falls that are fully accessible, some even offer you the option of reserving rooms that feature fully accessible bathrooms. One suggestion I can make is if you can afford it you may want to look at staying at the Sheraton on the Falls which is a great hotel for people with disabilities since it offers accessible rooms and it is located near the bottom of Clifton Hill.

View of the American Falls

So once you’ve arrived in Niagara Falls and checked into your hotel it is time to get out there and enjoy the sights. Now if you use a power wheelchair or a mobility scooter getting around Niagara Falls is actually pretty easy though at times it can be challenging get through the crowds of people. Weather you walking or using a power wheelchair you may want to avoid the brick walkways, for some reason when I was in the area I noticed that more then a few bricks were missing. This issue has created a tripping hazard and for those using power wheelchairs these missing bricks have created an area where one of your wheels might get caught so avoid this area. Other than this issue getting around Niagara Falls isn’t really that bad there are many very wide paths for people to walk on and there are plenty of benches available to you if you need to take a break. The views along the main path are simply amazing you can look across to the States and see the American Falls which are quite impressive as well. The main path takes you directly to a spectacular and close view of the Falls now this area can become quite crowded but with some patience you will eventually be able to get close to the Falls as well.

The only other time you may have trouble with the large crowds is when it comes time to cross the street. Many intersections such as the ones at the top and bottom of Clifton Hill can become very busy which can create a problem when it comes time to cross. Unfortunately some people are not so eager to get out of your way all I can say is stand your ground. Now when it comes to climbing up Clifton Hill if you use a power wheelchair or mobility scooter you will have very little trouble but if you are walking you might want to take a short cut. You see whenever I am in the area to avoid climbing up Clifton Hill I cut through Casino Niagara using their elevators and escalators to get to their other entrance which is located near the top of Clifton Hill. Now the times when I have had to climb up Clifton Hill my wife helps me by placing her hand on my back to give me the little push I need to make it up the hill. It is still a very difficult task for me but walking up the hill with my wife’s assistance allows me to enjoy some of the shops and attractions found on Clifton Hill.

Maid of the Mist

Now when it comes to accessibility the truth is a few of the shops and restaurants along Clifton Hill are not accessible. Now there are a few gaming establishments that are fully accessible this includes the Great Canadian Midway which provides people with disabilities an accessible entrance to the Wendy’s restaurant. Just a little bit further up Clifton Hill you will find the restaurant Boston Pizza which is also fully accessible to avoid the stairs you can enter through arcade and bowling alley which is located directly beside the Niagara SkyWheel. You will also be happy to learn that the Niagara SkyWheel is fully accessible so if you have the courage and aren’t afraid of heights you will really enjoy seeing Niagara Falls from such a high vantage point. Another fully accessible attraction found in Niagara Falls is the Maid of the Mist which is said to one of North America’s oldest tourist attraction which has been operating boat tours since 1846. The Maid of the Mist takes you on a half hour boat right and takes you so close to the Falls that there’s a good chance you will get soaked. As you can see there are many great attractions in Niagara Falls and even though you might have a disability like me you can still have a great time.

For more information on Accessibility in Niagara Falls please visit: http://www.accessibleniagara.com/

More pictures from my trip to Niagara Falls can be found at the My Becker's Story Facebook page.

Related post:
I hope everyone enjoyed the summer

Autos.ca just published my article: The Top 10 vehicles for people with disabilities

2011-08-08T20:50:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I was given the opportunity to complete a feature article for an automotive website by the name of Autos.ca - just today my very first article entitled: "The Top 10 vehicles for people with disabilities" was published. This has turned into a great opportunity to raise awareness about Becker's Muscular Dystrophy and the needs of those of us living with disabilities. To view my Top 10 vehicles for people with disabilities article please clicking on the picture below.

Thank you Autos.ca for allowing me to do this!

The 2011 Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy was a great success!

2011-08-07T11:54:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy took place on May 29th and was a great success! This year over 185 people attended this year’s event. I was amazed by the large turnout on a day that called for thunder storms and showers but luckily not one drop of rain fell during the entire event. This was only my second time attending the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy and this year I had the privilege of joining the Durham Region Walk planning committee. Over the last few months of being involved with the planning committee I learned that support from the local community is very important when putting on a Walk. We we’re very lucky to have the support of a few local sponsors who wanted to be a part of this year’s walk including a few from previous years and I would like to thank all of them for being a part of this year’s event. And I hope to see their continued support of the Walk for

Community Supporter Jack Astor's

years to come and hope their involvement would help to encourage more local businesses to join in supporting next year’s event as well. In total this year’s Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy helped to raise over $23,000 which will be used by Muscular Dystrophy Canada to help fund research and help them continue to offer Support Service to those living with this disorder. I am happy to know that a part of the funds raised by each and every Walk that takes place across Canada will go a long way in helping Muscular Dystrophy Canada continue to offer the Mobility Equipment Program which helps to cover the costs of many different Mobility Aids which help to improve the lives of those living with Muscular Dystrophy. That’s why I am happy to say this year thanks to the support of many people in my life including a few who I met on Toyota Canada’s Facebook page made donations which enabling me to exceed my set fund raising goal of $750. I am so thankful to those who took the time to support me and others living with Muscular Dystrophy by making a donation to such a great cause. I also would like to thank my family for being there to support me and maybe next year even a few of my friends will be able to make it out as well.

I really enjoyed being a part of the 2011 Durham Region Planning committee and was happy to be involved in helping to promote as well as seek out local sponsors for the event. Even though I didn’t score the sponsorship of a major corporation I am happy to say that I was able to hand out a few flyers promoting the event and to have a local Radio Station add the Walk to their Community Events Calendar on their webpage. And just a week before the event I was lucky enough to win a T-Shirt and a Coffee Mug from entering a contest on Mills Motors Facebook page which I donated to the Walk to be given away as a raffle prize. Along with my donation to the raffle many other great prizes were donated including a Sirius Satellite Radio and a really expensive looking travel bag. In all it seems there might have been over 30 raffle prizes that were given away and was nice to see everyone having such a good time during the raffle.

What I enjoy the most about being a involved in my local Walk for Muscular Dystrophy is how it helps to unite those of us affected by this disorder. It is also a great place to meet new people and it helps me a lot to know I am not in this alone and it made me feel great to learn that 185 attended this year Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy. And it is a great feeling to know that no matter what form of Muscular Dystrophy we have those like me living with the disorder along with our families and friends all share the same dream that one day they will find a cure. To everyone including all the Teams who joined the 2011 Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy your fund raising efforts not only mean a lot to your loved one affected by this disorder but to me as well I can’t thank everyone enough including the sponsors for being a part of an event that means so much to me and I am proud to support the efforts of Muscular Dystrophy Canada in raising funds to help people like me. I just can’t wait till next year!

To find out more info about other Walks taking place across Canada please click on the Muscular Dystrophy Canada logo.

Join the My Becker's Story blog on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!

2011-08-07T11:39:00.000-07:00

Great news you can now join the My Becker's Story blog on Facebook, Twitter & YouTube!

I am always looking for new stories to tell so if you have any suggestions or would like to share your story please send me an e-mail.

my-beckers-story@hotmail.com

Paul Senior and Paul Junior of American Choppers help raise funds for Cure Duchenne

2011-07-26T15:27:00.000-07:00

Paul Senior and Paul Junior of American Choppers recently built two bikes to be autioned off and will be donating the proceeds from their one-of-a-kind Cadillac-inspired Choppers to benefit the charity Cure Duchenne. All the money raised by these bikes will fund research aimed at helping thousands of boys and young men affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. No matter what form of Muscular Dystrophy someone has were all in this together and if they find a cure for Duchenne that's good news for all of us so I am glad to see Paul Senior and Paul Junior involved in this! To view the Junior vs Senior American Chopper Charity Auction page click (here) and to learn more about the Charity Cure Duchenne you can visit: http://www.cureduchenne.org/

Accessible seating would have made a big difference

2011-07-20T06:56:00.000-07:00

Josh Groban at the ACC

The other night I attended the Josh Groban Concert at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto with my wife and a few friends. We all had a great time and were lucky enough to have seats where we could look down directly onto the main stage. I really enjoyed the show and only had a few issues related to having Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy. These issues I faced really helped me learn a valuable lesson which I was only able to learn thanks to attending the Josh Groban concert. Now in the past when my wife and I have attended concerts at the Air Canada Centre and I only struggled a little bit when climbing the stairs to our seats. But the other night I learned the hard way what a difference a few years can make since last night I faced what could have been the biggest challenge of my life.

In the last few years I have been in denial concerning the progression of my Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy and the other night I paid for it dearly and it is no one else's fault but my own. Now I am happy to say I didn’t get hurt or anything and luckily all I suffered from was the embarrassment of people seeing me struggle so much just to climb up a few steps to exit the arena. My troubles all began the second I tried to stand up from the seat I had been sitting in for the past three hours. You see I wasn't able to stand up or stretch my legs at all during the entire concert so my legs became so weak that I just couldn't get up. It was like my legs had lost all of their strength and this ended up creating a really awkward situation for me. At one point while I was climbing up these steps a concerned older lady asked me if I was ok and the only thing I could say to her was I guess I shouldn't have sat down here. Now eventually after sometime struggling I did make my way up the steps to the exit but the whole situation frustrated me. Having to go through what I went through the other night really helped to confirm my belief that stairs are my worst enemy.

When it comes down to it I put myself in this situation and I am the only one to blame for not requesting accessible seating. I really made a big mistake not taking advantage of the Air Canada Centres Accessibility policy. Now just a few days before the event I actually discovered that when a person with a disability attends a concert event at the Air Canada Centre they do have the option of purchasing tickets that guarantee them accessible seating. And I also found out that anyone attending an event who has a disability but doesn`t have a ticket for accessible seating can simply speak with Fan Services and they will see if they can assist in accommodating your needs. The mistake I made was being somewhat reluctant in speaking with Fan Services about my issues for some reason I really didn’t want any special treatment plus at the time I was unaware of the struggles I would face at the end of the night. I really believe that attending the Josh Groban concert last night taught me a valuable lesson to not be ashamed of my condition and that sometimes it is ok to ask for special accommodations. What I should have done when I arrived is gone straight to Fan Services and requested accessible seating but instead I was too embarrassed to ask and the funny thing was that to the right of where we were sitting there was an accessible seating area that was completely empty. In the end I learned that I need to accept the facts that I am not the same person I use to be and that now is the time to start taking my issues a little more seriously and that it is not a good idea to put myself in situations that might put my safety at risk. Unfortunately on this night I had to learn the hard way that Accessible seating would have made a big difference.

Now a few days before the Josh Groban concert I did find out that people with disablities do have the option of reserving an accessible parking spot in the Air Canada Centres underground parking garage. So the day of the concert I actually did decide to go ahead and reserve a spot since I was worried that the parking lot across the street would be full by the time we arrived. Now the cost to reserve a spot in their parking garage during an event does cost $30 which is quite a bit for an accessible parking spot but I thought the extra cost might be worth it. Fortunately for us when we arrived down town the parking lot across the street from the Arena wasn`t even close to full so we decided to park in the pay & display parking lot where we ended up paying $25 for a regular parking spot. Now in the future I may need to take advantage of the option to park underneath the Air Canada Centre and I know that an accessible parking space in their garage would be very useful especially during the winter months. In the end all I can say is I learned a valuable lesson that if I am going to attend a show at the Air Canada Centre it is in my best interest to take advantage of all the accommodations that are available to me including Accessible seating.

Check out the latest "My Becker's Story" YouTube video!

2011-07-01T10:47:00.001-07:00

Please feel free to share this link to help spread more awareness about the My Becker's Story blog. Which is a great place to connect with people and to learn more about what it is like living with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy!

What people are saying about the My Becker's Story blog:

"My Beckers Story helped me too, when my son was diagnosed with Becker MD last year at the age of 13, thanks."

"Hi there, I also suffer from BMD. Just read the blog and the first half is like reading my personal history!!"

"I ran across your spot today, you sure have a lot on here I will have to check in a lot. I also have BMD and everything you say resonnates deeply."

"I am also in mid-30s with Becker's from the UK so thought i'd join and say hello! Struggling with all the same things as mentioned in the blog!"

"I am new to this group. Just want to say it is nice to meet people who understand."

Join the 3rd Annual Becker Muscular Dystrophy Conference

2011-06-30T21:35:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to meet other people living with Beckers Muscular Dystrophy? Well here's your chance on August 13th, 2011 the 3rd Annual BMD conference is taking place in Los Angeles. They are shooting for 100 BMDrs attending this year conference, and they would love to see you there. It will be a great social event in addition you'll have a great opportunity to meet some rock star researchers and doctors.

Great news there is financial support available for travel to this year event, so you will want to RSVP right away. Please contact julie.groth@cshs.org to RSVP today!

Again the best part is that there is Financial assistance available: $500 travel sponsorships or full travel expenses options. You will be able to meet other BMDrs and hear about the latest care, research, and studies from a rock star panel of doctors and patients...

Space is limited — RSVP is required. The conference is FREE and includes lunch and a post conference reception.

So please head on over to the BeckerMD.org home page for more details.

My thoughts concerning Ontario's Social Assistance Review: Part 2

2011-06-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

Today I would like to share with you a few of the recommendations found in a report completed by the ODSP Action Coalition entitled "Dignity, Adequacy, Inclusion: Rethinking the Ontario Disability Support Program". Currently in the Province of Ontario our Government is completing a Review of our Social Assistance programs which won't be completed until June of 2012. Since the ODSP Action Coalition exists to help raise awareness of issues affecting people recieving ODSP their aim is to advocate for those with disabilities who are in need income support so they wanted to get involved in Ontario's Social Assistance Review. They recently released the "Dignity, Adequacy, Inclusion: Rethinking the Ontario Disability Support Program" report to help encourage positive change. In their report they go on to say that they are hopeful about the government’s Social Assistance Review because of the opportunity to address fundamental problems with income support policies for persons with disabilities, and for others who require financial assistance. The coalition has made many submissions to government on particular regulation and policy changes that would improve the experience of recipients.

In a few of my past blog posts I have spoken about some of my issues concerning the Ontario Disability Supports Program and their treatment of marriage and spousal income. The best way for me to help you fully understand the issues with ODSP and its treatment of marriage is to share with you the facts and a few of the recommendations that have been submitted by the ODSP Action Coalition to the Commission in charge of the Review of Social Assistance here in Ontario.

ODSP's treatment of Earnings from Spouses:

Spousal earnings are clawed back under current ODSP regulations. This forces non-disabled or working spouses to assume the full financial responsibility of the person with a disability, sometimes including extremely costly medication and health care needs. In many cases, the treatment of spousal earnings ensures that families cannot earn enough income to escape poverty. This burden compromises the independence of people with disabilities and also weakens the capacity of the family unit overall to achieve and maintain an adequate standard of living and greater economic security. ODSP applicants are unduly burdened with requirements to access financial information from their spouse. This is not always possible when spouses are unwilling to comply. The security of people with disabilities should not be tied to the compliance of another party to ODSP rules and regulations. Similarly, the economic security of the whole family unit should not be vulnerable to program rules specific to the person with a disability.

The Coalition has proposed that the benefit unit be changed from the family to the individual; this would mean the earnings of spouses would not affect the income support and health benefits of the person with a disability.

Recommendation: Changing to an individual benefit unit rather than basing eligibility for ODSP on family income would be the ideal solution to this problem.

ODSP and the treatment of the Benefit Unit

ODSP benefit payments are made on behalf of families rather than individuals. Structuring the benefit unit in this way has many negative consequences for people who receive ODSP. It means that ODSP administrators are in the position of deciding under what circumstances two adults constitute a family; a practice the Social Assistance Review Advisory Council identified as one of several that are “stigmatizing and robs recipients of their dignity and control of their own lives.”

It also means that people with disabilities are not able to have economic independence from spouses or other family members. They must access the financial resources of their spouses prior to being eligible for benefits. Spouses and family members are negatively impacted by the costs of disability, further limiting their own efforts to achieve financial security and independence.

People receiving ODSP have described how the present benefit unit penalizes those who live with a spouse and prevents many from forming new relationships that would be beneficial to their health and wellbeing, because a potential partner is unable or unwilling to assume full support for the person with a disability.

Recommendation: The benefit unit for ODSP should be the individual recipient rather than the family, with the proviso that the children of recipients are fully supported either through a significantly increased Ontario Child Benefit or through an income supplement delivered through ODSP.

Please remember with your support and a bit of effort we can improve the lives of those living with disabilities who depend on income Support from the Ontario Disabilities Supports Program!

You can visit the ODSP Action Coalition at: http://www.odspaction.ca/

Growing older with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy

2011-06-24T16:55:00.000-07:00

Over the last few months I have met many people who are also living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy and I have learned that I may not be fully aware of some of the challenges that lie ahead. To some knowing what the future may hold for them concerning their disability is viewed as a good thing but lately I think I’ve been suffering from information overload. Before starting the My Becker’s Story blog I honestly wasn’t fully aware of the true effects that living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy will one day have on my life. It was only about five years ago when I found out that I could possibly face heart related complications. The heart being a muscle I really don’t know why I didn’t clue into this fact a lot sooner I actually didn’t realize how serious of an issue it could be for some of us. So now once a year I see a heart specialist who does an echocardiogram and an EKG to make sure my heart is performing exactly like it should. So far all reports have been very good and I have been told my heart seems to be perfectly fine but that doesn’t keep me from worrying. I know I should be eating better and stay active to keep my heart functioning properly but sadly I have been slacking in both areas. For the first time in two years I forced myself to go for a walk at the local beach I now want to take my condition more seriously since hearing about some of the issues others are currently facing. Sadly when I hear about other people who are older than me living with Becker’s and all the struggles they can face I tend to become stressed out about what the future holds for me. In the last year I have learned so much about what life with Becker’s is like when we grow older and to be honest sometimes it worries me. In recent months I have learn that two members of the My Becker’s Story Facebook page fell one ended up breaking his leg and the other a few toes simply due to one of their legs giving out. So now I try to be as careful as possible and I am so thankful that I have met so many great people since starting this blog. And it’s amazing to learn that so many of us are all at different stages of this and I have learned that none of us can predict the day when we will lose our ability to walk or do the things we enjoy.

I am amazed at how many people seem to stay so positive about their condition especially those who have lost their ability to walk, it’s like they just accept things and keep on living life. Most days I wonder what it will be like when I am in their shoes I actually fear the day that I may lose my ability to walk. I know someday soon that I may need to start using a mobility scooter and it is a very big step to accept the fact that my condition is worsening. When things start changing there’s two ways to deal with it get stressed out and fall into depression or to just sit back and accept things and just adapt to a new way of living life. I really hope I can handle things as well as others have and I guess the best part of getting to know other people living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy is that they may be able to help encourage me through the hard times. I never wanted to just focus on the negative things about living with a disability but sometimes it is hard not to. In every situation I try and stay positive about things and I really believe there’s no reason to focus on a situation you can’t change. And I know dealing with life changing circumstances concerning your everyday life for anyone can be very difficult and I haven’t always remain so positive throughout every situation I have faced but I do try my best. And honestly when I slip and fall or one of my legs gives out I usually get angry and embarrassed and at many points have questioned God for allowing this to happen to me. But in recent months I have really been trying to remain more positive about things knowing I am lucky to be alive and that there are many things in my life I should be very thankful for such as family and good friends.

Sometimes when I hear about the problems others are facing living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy my first thought is to feel bad for them but it seems many of the people I know have just accepted their situation and still try their best to enjoy their life. In the last few months I have learned a lot from reading the Life with Muscular Dystrophy blog page where the author who is currently using a wheel chair shares his story about his life and living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy. The most amazing thing about his story is that he really hasn’t allowed his condition to stop him from accomplishing anything. He proves that just because your situation changes or you lose your ability to walk it doesn’t mean it is time to give up. And I know when the day comes when I might lose my ability to walk that it will be a big change for me but I also know that many of the new people I have meet thanks to the My Becker's Story blog will be there to help me through. And with the support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada and the newly created Becker Muscular Dystrophy Network Canada (BMDNC) I know that help won’t be that hard to find. With the creation of so many great resources I am happy that I started the My Becker’s Story blog as a great place to meet others living with Muscular Dystrophy so we can join together and help each other through any of the challenge we may soon face. So when it comes to the progression of my Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy I have come to the conclusion that it would only benefit me to just accept my situation and simply adapt to whatever changes come my way. Now when it comes to the use of mobility devices I really have no reason to be hesitant about starting to use a lifter chair or even a small sized mobility scooter to get around since both devices would help me immensely. And at this point in my life I should be very thankful that I am still walking and I know one day when it comes to walking long distances or spending time visiting the Toronto Zoo or going to Niagara Falls for a few days it might be in my best interest to start using a mobility scooter. Thinking about it now I do find it a little funny that I have been hesitant about using mobility aids since they were created to help make life easier for those us of living with disabilities. So should I worry about my future and the progression of my Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy? I'd have to say no since I believe I need to be more open to the idea of using mobility devices and that in the end the best thing I can do is just learn to adapt and live my life.

To learn more about Becker's Muscular Dystrophy you can visit muscle.ca and take a look at the pdf file they prepared or simply click here.

Starting a blog

2011-06-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

Since the start of the My Becker’s Story blog I have met a large amount of people who have expressed a lot of interest in starting up a blog of their own. So today’s post entitled “Starting a blog” is just part one of two posts looking into exactly what it might take for you to start up your very own blog.

When it comes to starting a blog the first thing you will need to do is create a name for your blog that will be easy for all your readers to remember. In any business as with any blog the name is very important since it can be a major force in helping readers understand what your blog is all about. And finding the right name might just be the hardest part of starting up your own blog. I feel like I was very lucky to come up with the name My Becker’s Story since I believe it does a great job of sending the message of what my blog is all about which is what it is like living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy. After coming up with the name for my blog the next thing I had to do was starts looking into blog hosting services find the one I want to use and then reserve a webpage address under the name of My Becker’s Story. Now since I was new to the whole blogging craze I really didn’t know where to start I had already heard of Word Press and Blogger but had no idea which one would best suit my needs. Being a bit of a perfectionist I needed a service that offered easy to use functionality which would allow me to create a visually appealing blog space that I could be happy with. The type of person I am I wanted my blog to look very professional and if I wasn’t able to do this I probably wouldn’t have gone forward with creating my blog. After a bit of research I decided to go with blogger.com since it allowed me to be the most creative. With my decision made I was already to begin I was able to secure my-beckers-story.blogspot so now it was time for me to start putting together my very first blog.

So at this point if you’re starting your own blog and you have already chosen a name and have reserved a blogspot webpage then you’re all ready to go. What the next step well the first thing you may want to do is get to work on writing your very first blog post. This being your first post you will want to introduce people to what your blog is all about and this is best done by describing the purpose and the main reasons why you have decided to start your very own blog. Include a short bio about your life and what you plan to accomplish with your blog you pretty much want to tell them who you are what you are about and why you’re starting a blog. Once you have completed writing your very first blog post before you post it you will want to then create a look for your blog that is attractive since it will help to gain you more repeat viewers. Now you could always just keep your blog very simple but if it doesn’t look professional it may suffer from low readership. The main reason many people have what some would call a boring looking blog page is due to the fact that most people believe it simply too hard to create an attractive page. Sure it is great to have quality written material on your blog but it is really pretty simple to take your blog for boring to amazing. The next thing you will want to do is get yourself a Photobucket account which is a service that allows you to upload pictures that can be edited in many different ways, you can resize your photos, add effects, boarders and even text. The other thing you may want to do is chose a background for you blog title, when it comes to the My Becker’s Story blog I simply just took a light blue background I found online cropped it and added a border around it then chose the font I wanted to use and added the title My Becker’s Story to it. It was that simple within a few minutes I had created a background and a title that looked a hundred times better than a plain old looking text title at the top of the page.

Now when it comes to blog posting I was given some very useful advice I was told that blogs without any pictures tend to look a little boring and un-interesting and that it is best to include pictures on your blog. In the beginning my blog was all text no pictures looking back now it must have been one very dull looking blog page. The first I started to do to dress up my blog page was to make the side tabs look a bit more appealing by creating side tab pictures that had a similar look to the title of my blog. I used the side tabs of my blog to display a short description of what my blog was all about and I also included small sized 220X200 pictures that contained the title of a few key blog posts I wanted visitors to read. I also added these same pictures to the top of each blog post right under each title to help give them a little bit more life. Now at first I was reluctant to add any pictures of myself this mainly because posting pictures on the internet was something new to me. These days many people tell you to protect your privacy but if you want to start a blog about your life you may want to include at least one picture of yourself. If you look at my blog now you can see I like to include pictures in my blog posts since I believe it makes things look so much better. So if you feel comfortable enough adding pictures of yourself to your blog do it because it allows your readers to get to know you a bit better. It is also a great idea to add pictures related to the subject matter you are addressing. For example when I was writing the story about accessible parking spaces I went out and took pictures of everything related to accessible parking. This took the post to the next level making the story more interesting since each picture helped me tell the story.

Next post: “How to promote your blog” Coming soon!

Facebook the good, the bad and the totally annoying!

2011-06-07T14:01:00.000-07:00

The Good:

When it comes to Facebook you have two groups of people those who love it and those who simply hate it all together. I have always had a love hate relationship with Facebook and have even cancelled my account more than a few times. But with the creation of the My Becker’s Story blog having a Facebook account has become very important since Facebook has become the largest source of total views this blog receives. So you can see having a Facebook account is very important to the success of this and any other blog. These days it is important for many groups to have a Facebook page of their own and if you have a small business a Facebook page is a great place to connect with your customers. Other groups that really benefits from having a Facebook page is Charities like Muscular Dystrophy Canada it just another tool that they can use to help promote all the great work they are doing to help Canadians living with Muscular Dystrophy. Right now I am a fan of many other Facebook group pages and now believe that it is a great place to meet and connect with many different kinds of people. Now I don’t need to go on and on telling you that Facebook has many benefits I already know that most people already agree that it might just be the best place to stay connected with your family and friends. Facebook is also a great place for people to let their friends find out exactly what they are into including their likes including favourite products, activities, their beliefs and pretty much everything about their day to day lives. Even many businesses and corporations have become very familiar with the positive effects of having Facebook page. In just the last few years many businesses have embraced the fact that having a Facebook page is a great way to grow their business. And amazingly enough many companies don’t even have to do a thing since most times their Facebook fans are the ones doing the most in helping to push their products. For them it's a win-win situation.

The Bad:

These days the main objective of most companies is to gain access to all your personal information this happens whenever you want to take part in a Facebook based contest and you’ve seen it before many applications on Facebook ask you to grant them access to pretty much all of your personal information including your friends list. And once you’ve joined in one of their contests the aim is to get you to “Like” their contest page or one of their products simply to gain a spot on your wall.

The totally Annoying:

And this might just be the most annoying part of having a Facebook account since most contests result in you needing to beg your friends for votes or “Likes” in order to win. These days this is what every business is after since every “Like” gains them access to many different peoples walls and that’s good for business since their main goal is to advertise to you and your friends in hopes one of you will go out and buy that certain product. I have made the mistake of entering a few Facebook based contests which in the end I feel may have ended up annoying some of my friends since I continually kept asking for their support to help me try and win a contest that was based strictly on the amount of “Likes” my entry received. Begging for votes or “likes” on Facebook will more than likely result in some of your friends hiding or blocking any notifications of your future wall posts. In the last few days I have actually considered refraining from entering any more Facebook based contest since a large amount of them are strictly based on the number of “likes” or votes you receive. Really what's the point of entering a contest where only the most popular person with the most friends or family members has the best chance of winning?

Great vehicles for those with disabilities - Review: 2011 Scion xB

2011-06-06T16:25:00.000-07:00

The other day I had the chance to test drive a 2011 Scion xB a vehicle that is bit larger than the smaller sized Scion xD that I drove earlier this year. My first impressions of the 2011 Scion xB were very positive ever since the first time seeing an xB on the road I have always viewed them as great looking vehicles. So you could understand I was excited about having the opportunity to test drive and xB for the purposes of reviewing it for the My Becker’s Story blog. As many of you already know I have a passion for all things automotive so having the chance to review yet another vehicle was very exciting for me so when I was handed the keys to a 2011 Scion xB I more than happy to take a closer look. Sitting behind the wheel of the xB the first thing that stood out was the very unique and original looking dash design which offers plenty of useable storage spaces built right into the dash along with the glove box you will have no problem finding a place to store the things you need on a daily basis.

I particularly liked how the climate control dials are turned towards the driver which makes them fairly easy to use. Now I did find that the position of the stereo made it a bit of a reach to access the buttons but that problem is quickly solved thanks to very useful steering wheel mounted audio controls. The centre positioned instrument panel is very easy to view and features a digital speedometer along with the ever useful tachometer and it even includes Scions direct tire pressure monitoring system. I really believe Scion did a very good job of designing the interior of the xB from the dash to the very capable and impressive 6 speaker Pioneer sound system to the feel of the steering wheel in your hands Scion didn’t overlook anything when it came to interior design. And if you worried about the size of the xB you might be surprised to learn that with the rear seats folded flat there is plenty of usable cargo space.

The 2011 Scion xB I was driving featured the standard Chrome exhaust tip which helped to give the xB a very sporty exhaust note which made me feel like I was driving something with a lot more power. The 2011 Scion xB comes standard with a 4-Cylinder engine that produces 158 horsepower and the one I was driving was fitted with a 4-Speed Automatic transmission. Sure the Scion xB would not be considered as a sports car but driving the xB was a very enjoyable experience and I found the steering to be mildly sporty with a precise feel which made me very confident behind the wheel. But for those looking to improve the handling and performance of the Scion xB this can be done quite easily thanks to a wide variety of performance customization parts available through Toyota Racing and Development. These parts range from Toyota Racing Development Rear Sway Bars, Lowering springs, Sports exhaust, Performance Shocks and even few choices of TRD Alloy wheels. Even in its base form the Scion xB is a great car and I am very impressed by a Car company who allows its customers the option of taking a base model Scion and deciding how far they want to take it through the customization process. And the customization of your Scion doesn’t stop there you also have the option of upgrading to an Alpine Audio System that features three 2.4 volt RCA outputs allowing you the option of adding external amps and subwoofers which in the end for most will take up a lot of the useable space inside but if you love your music this might be an option you can’t live without.

With this being only the second Scion product I have ever driven my view point hasn’t really changed about the way I feel about the Scion brand I still really believe that they offer a great product to those looking for a fun to drive quality built vehicle. And sure other car companies may have been catching up but in my opinion you can’t go wrong buying a Scion I say this because ever since their introduction to the North American market Scions have been known for their quality. And what people with disabilities or mobility issues are looking for is a great quality vehicle that won’t leave them stranded on the side of the road. When it come to the Scion xB being a great vehicle for those with disabilities it really does excel in a few area’s including rear cargo room which goes a long way in helping those who require the use of small sized collapsible mobility scooter or walker. Now I have heard of a few products that are available that may fit in the rear of the xB that can be used to make loading smaller sized collapsible mobility scooters much easier. Now if you are in need of using full sized mobility devices then something like the 2011 Toyota Sienna would be much better since it can be easily converted to fit large scale mobility devices. But for people who need a vehicle that it easier to get in and out and that can fit a small mobility device the 2011 Scion xB would be a great choice. And I believe that one of the best features that come standard in the xB includes the pump up seats which is simply a handle you will find on the side of driver and front passenger seats that allows you to adjust the seat height to a level that works best for you. After driving the 2011 Scion xB I now believe that Scion not only appeal to the youth an young adult market but now it should also include those living with disabilities.

Accessibility rating 5/5

for:

-Unique Exterior Styling
-Quality & Reliability
-Standard Safety Features
-Large amount of cargo room
-Ride height/seat position

A big thank you to Whitby Scion for allowing me to test drive the 2011 Scion xB for the purposes of my review.

Whitby Scion is located at:

1025 Dundas Street West, Whitby, Ontario L1P 1Z1

1-877-686-2228

http://www.whitbytoyota.com/

The 2011 Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy was a great success!

2011-05-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy was a great success this year over 185 people attended this year’s event. I was amazed by the large turnout on a day that called for thunder storms and showers but luckily not one drop of rain fell during the entire event. This was only my second time attending the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy and this year I had the privilege of joining the Durham Region Walk planning committee. Over the last few months of being involved with the planning committee I learned that support from the local community is very important when putting on a Walk. We we’re very lucky to have the support of a few local sponsors who wanted to be a part of this year’s walk including a few from previous years and I would like to thank all of them for being a part of this year’s event. And I hope to see their

Community Supporter Jack Astor's

continued support of the Walk for years to come and hope their involvement would help to encourage more local businesses to join in supporting next year’s event as well. In total this year’s Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy helped to raise over $23,000 which will be used by Muscular Dystrophy Canada to help fund research and help them continue to offer Support Service to those living with this disorder. I am happy to know that a part of the funds raised by each and every Walk that takes place across Canada will go a long way in helping Muscular Dystrophy Canada continue to offer the Mobility Equipment Program which helps to cover the costs of many different Mobility Aids which help to improve the lives of those living with Muscular Dystrophy. That’s why I am happy to say this year thanks to the support of many people in my life including a few who I met on Toyota Canada’s Facebook page made donations which enabling me to exceed my set fund raising goal of $750. I am so thankful to those who took the time to support me and others living with Muscular Dystrophy by making a donation to such a great cause. I also would like to thank my family for being there to support me and maybe next year even a few of my friends will be able to make it out as well.

The most dangerous part of my day

2011-05-26T11:21:00.000-07:00

When it comes to the most dangerous part of my day I’d have to say it occurs every single morning when I have to start getting ready for the day. When it comes to my regular morning routine it starts just like everyone else’s day in the bathroom but my problems begin the second I have to climb into tub to take a shower. It always starts the same my first issue is getting into the tub as I am always concerned about slipping and falling as I enter into the tub. The biggest issue is that I never know when one of my legs is going to give out and it actually happened once when I was getting out of the shower and it ended with a nasty looking bruise on the upper part of my leg. But what I am mostly concerned about falling while taking a shower and like most of us who are living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy already know there`s no stopping us when we fall down. And all holding onto a safety bar will do in our shower is make us fall smashing our body against the tile wall. And I think if I was to hold onto a safety bar while falling down I might just break my arm. Now the worst thing about taking a shower in a tub is that they are so narrow and that I really have no real room to move around and if slip and fall who knows what injury I might suffer. Just today while taking a shower I bumped the shampoo bottle and where did it fall straight to the bottom of the tub a place I call a no go zone since bending over to pick it up would probably result in one of my legs giving out or my hand slipping while I place it on my knee for support. So what did I end up doing using my foot to work it back up onto the side ledge of the tub a much better place for me to pick it up from but probably not the best decision but thankfully I didn't fall.

So as you can see taking a shower in a narrow bath tub is a major problem for me and what I really wish I had was a place that was properly set up to address all my specific needs. When I was younger I was lucky enough to live in a place that had a very large walk in shower which made my life much easier but I ended up moving out of that place since the rest of the apartment was simply too small. At the time when I was living in that apartment my Becker`s Muscular Dystrophy wasn`t really a major issue when it came to everyday activities. Now at this stage of living with Muscular Dystrophy I could only dream of living in a place with a proper walk in shower which would make my life much easier. And I don`t tell this story in hopes someone will help me in some way I tell this story so that those of you out there who are younger than me who are living with Becker`s know that simple chores such as taking a shower can be made easier if you choose to live in a place that includes a walk-in shower since it will provide you plenty of room to move around in. That way you won`t be stuck like me living in a place that makes taking a shower the most dangerous part of my day. Sadly the only way for me to solve all my problems is to play the lottery since living with a disability can be very expensive. Recently I bought a ticket for the Princess Margaret Home Lottery and was really hopeful that I would win a new home or enough money to purchase a home that includes a walk in shower but like every other time I have played the lottery luck was not on my side. All I can say is if I had boat loads of money I would then live in a place that was set up perfectly to handle all of my needs for now all my hope rests in the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation I just hope someday soon my numbers come up.

Life has its Ups & Downs

2011-05-19T12:25:00.000-07:00

If you are a regular reader of the My Becker’s Story blog you may already know a little bit about my employment story and how it ended with a work related injury in the form of tendonitis which is not a fun condition to have since it is so easily aggravated. But some people might wonder if I even plan on working again and I would to say yes since being employed definitely made my life better when it came to my finances. My only regret is that I never knew anything about tendonitis until I learned about it the hard way. Sadly after my injury I found out that we live in a world were some employers do not really care about their employees. And what frustrates me the most about my previous employer is that there was never any mention of work related injuries or the WSIB, not even one word about tendonitis or how to set up a work station ergonomically. Obviously I could go on and on blaming my previous employer for the injury but the point I really want to make is that if I never sustained a work related injury I’d probably still be working today. But in life it seems nothing ever stays the same and eventually I had no choice but to leave that job since my situation wasn’t getting any better and the worst thing of all was the major drop in income. Eventually after about a year of not working I reluctantly decided to apply for a job at another call centre, anyways I sent off my resume and received a call the very same day, so we set up a time for an interview the very next day. At first I was happy but the excitement was short lived the next thing I know all the memories of all I went through with my previous employer and the WSIB start flooding my mind and at that point I was beyond stressed out. The next day while driving to the interview I actually felt like I was having a heart attack but more then likely it was just a panic attack, and at one point I almost drove my self to the hospital but instead I decided to call my wife and she was able to help me calm me down telling me I’d be ok in the interview and that there’s nothing to worry about. Long story short the interview went so well they hired me on the spot and in the end it felt good to at least once in my life impress someone during the interview process. So next up was training which unfortunately didn’t go so well since my Tendonitis started acting up again and at that time I decided to leave the job. And to be honest I had a feeling that working in another call centre was a big mistake and in the end I was right. And since it didn’t work out this time I went back to receiving income support from the Ontario Disabilities Supports Program.

These days most of my time is spent searching for ways to increase my income and the best way for me to do this is to create a home based business. Over the last year I have met other people living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy who either work from home or have been lucky enough to create a successful businesses of their own. Right now my main focus is trying to find work that I can do from home but surprisingly its a lot harder than you think since the Internet is littered with plenty of work from home scams. When it comes down to it I really wish I could make a living as a writer since it’s a great job that you can do from home but the truth is only small amount of people actually make good money as full time writers. And as we get older we sometimes realize many of our dreams will never come true if I had my way I would really like to become a paid automotive journalist who works for a magazine or automotive website. I actually really enjoyed being given the opportunity by Scion Canada to test drive and complete a review of the 2011 Scion xD at least for one moment a small part of my dream came true and in a way I am an automotive journalist. Growing up I always dreamed of one day doing video car reviews since this would give me the opportunity to drive some pretty cool cars all I have to do now is get my hands on a HD Mini DV camcorder and some video editing software and then maybe that dream will come true. Another idea I have is getting into voice over work all I have to do is take the time to record a demo and it’s that easy. I think it would be pretty cool voicing radio and television commercials and it would be amazing if I was lucky enough to voice a character on a popular animated TV show. Who knows what will happen over the next few months or years but if any of my dreams come true I will be very happy but for now I will continue to focus on the My Becker’s Story blog hoping I get a break or two along the way and even if I fail at times I will live my life knowing sometimes when we fail its best to try again. The truth is in life we may face many ups and downs but we should never give up. And in the end who really knows what my future holds but what ever happens the readers of the My Becker’s Story Blog will be the first to know.

Don't be so quick to write us off

2011-05-19T12:19:00.000-07:00

When it comes to living with a disability the worst part for most is dealing with people who have no understanding of what you’re going through or how your disability affects your everyday life. Through out the years I have learned that many people treat those with disabilities as if they are lazy and some even act as if their making everything up. Some even think we should be written off simply because we were born with a disability. I've even heard stories about people with disabilities being viewed as lazy people who just don't want to work. Even worse I recently found out that some people feel it is ok to discourage a person from marrying someone with a disability simply because they may have issues providing a steady income. When I hear that people view those living with disabilities this way it’s very upsetting and it shocks me that some people in today’s society still think it’s ok to write some people off simply because they have a disability. I really believe that if people who live in Ontario or other Provinces or countries have issues with those living with a disability not receiving enough income support then they need to stand up for them and get more involved in encouraging their Governments to provide a decent amount of income support to those living with disabilities who are dependent on a programs like the Ontario Disability Supports Program. And I fully understand that people are not suppose to get rich off of the support provided through income support programs but I believe that they should at least be provided with enough income that allows them not to be overlooked when it comes to relationships. Even if they increased their income support just a little bit it would enable people with disabilities to be fully involved in marriage even when it comes to finances. So I say to those people who only view people with disabilities in a negative way to change your way of thinking people with disabilities should never be over looked or treated like lower class citizens. And if you truly believe that people who are dependent on programs like the Ontario Disability Supports Program are not receiving enough support then get involved in trying to convince your Province or Country to provide people with disabilities enough income support to survive so that they can be viewed as equals by everyone!

The New My Beckers Story Facebook Page!

2011-05-08T14:51:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to take the time to let everybody know that I have recently created a brand new "My Beckers Story" Facebook page. Over the next few months Facebook will be archiving all groups currently using the old groups format and this is why a NEW My Beckers Story Facebook page had to be created. I want to thank everybody who has stopped by to check out the blog as well as those who have joined the old "My Beckers Story" facebook group and I hope that everyone will join the new one as well. It is amazing to hear everyones story to read your comments, and to learn that telling my story and talking about Becker's Muscular Dystrophy is in someway helping others. I invite anyone who is also living with Beckers Muscular Dystrophy to join in and share their story. This is a great page to meet other people living with Beckers and it is also a great place for family members and friends of those living with this and any other type of Muscular Dystrophy to connect. With this Facebook page I aim to inform people about what it's like living with Beckers Muscular Dystrophy. The My Beckers Story blog was created to raise awareness through sharing my personal story and the new Facebook page is a great way to stay connected. To join the Official Facebook page for the My Beckers Story Blog please click on the picture below.

Great vehicles for those with disabilities - Review: 2011 Toyota Sienna

2011-04-26T15:47:00.000-07:00

When it comes to great vehicles for those with disabilities many of us would agree that a minivan like the 2011 Toyota Sienna would be a great choice. It was in late 2010 when Toyota released the completely redesigned 2011 Toyota Sienna and and like me many people were very impressed by the new exterior styling. The first time I saw the 2011 Sienna I couldn't believe how good looking of a minivan it was sure the Mazda 5 comes very close but when I saw the SE version of the 2011 Sienna I was amazed. How could a minivan look this good, when I was growing up most minivans could only be described as dull and boring so most of you won’t be surprised when I say that growing up the last thing I ever wanted to own was a minivan but after seeing to 2011 Toyota Sienna SE I actually now wish I was driving one.

The completely redesigned 2011 Toyota Sienna now features smoother lines a standard 6-Speed Automatic Transmission and a long list of new features including All Wheel Drive and even Toyota's key less Smart Key System and the Limited version of the 2011 Sienna comes standard with push-button start. When I was behind the wheel of the 2011 Toyota Sienna I was very impressed steering was very smooth which ends up reducing the amount of effort needed to maneuver the fairly large sized Sienna. Along with plenty of room inside everything in the interior is well laid out and the steering wheel mounted controls allow the driver to complete simple tasks with ease. One of the best features available in the 2011 Sienna that anyone with a disability will find very useful is the back-up camera which now comes with a 180º panoramic view. Other features include Toyota's subscription-based Safety Connect service which provides customers with Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location along with Emergency Assistance available by the push of a Button a great service for anyone living with a disability. But what really impressed me the most about the 2011 Toyota Sienna is that when Toyota redesigned the Sienna that they took the time to think about the needs of people with disabilities and and made it fully customizable so it could be made accessible for anyone who requires the use of a wheel chair or a mobility scooter. Another great feature is the option to have a Bruno Lift-Up™ Power Mobility Seat installed which goes a long way in making it much easier for anyone mobility issues to get in and out of the Sienna. In my opinion when it comes to great vehicles for those with disabilities I really believe that the 2011 Toyota Sienna should be at the top of every ones list.

2011 Toyota Sienna Mobility Conversion

For more info on Toyota's Mobility Program click on the picture below:

Accessibility rating 5/5

for:

-Exterior Styling

-Quality & Reliability

-Standard Safety Features

-Panorama Backup Camera

-Toyota Mobility Program

A big thank you to Whitby Toyota for allowing me to test drive the 2011 Sienna for the purposes of my review.

Whitby Toyota is located at:

1025 Dundas Street West, Whitby, Ontario L1P 1Z1

1-877-686-2228

http://www.whitbytoyota.com/

Ideas for raising Fund's and Awareness

2011-04-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

In life many of us have dreams of doing certain things with our lives but the truth is most of us keep these dreams to our selves knowing that many of them will never come true. Over the years I have had many dreams and you can ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I come up with new idea almost every week. Many of my ideas revolve around making money and improving my own life but ever since I became more involved in spreading awareness about Muscular Dystrophy most of my latest ideas revolve around bringing more attention to the many forms of Muscular Dystrophy affecting me and many other Canadians. I really believe the best way for me to do this is to tell my personal story and help bring more attention to Muscular Dystrophy Canada to make people more aware of all the great work they are doing for Canadians affected by Neuromuscular disorders. Sometimes I think one of my biggest problems is the fact that my mind keeps coming up with new ideas of helping Muscular Dystrophy Canada gain more exposure. Like I said earlier many of us keep our dreams and ideas to our selves thinking the possibility of these dreams coming true is highly unlikely. Well today I have chosen to share with you my ideas and dreams of ways I feel I might be able to help promote and raise awareness about those of us fighting Muscular Dystrophy on a daily basis. Now I know some of these ideas may just remain dreams and sure none of these ideas may ever see the light of day but I will still share them with you anyways.

First I have always had the dream of finding a Canadian Vehicle Manufacturer who would be willing to provide a vehicle that would be professionally wrapped with logos and text promoting the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy and Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Some of you might already know that I am a major car enthusiast so you won't be surprised when I say that another big dream of mine is to one day to hold a charity car show with the main purpose of helping to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Honestly some days my mind just won't stop thinking of new ways to help raise more money for those affected by Muscular Dystrophy from charity poker events to concerts featuring major Canadian music stars. Now I know many of these dreams may never come true but it will never keep me from trying to help spread the word about Canadians affected by Muscular Dystrophy. And I know not every fund raising event has to be huge since even smaller more intimate fund raisers go a long way in helping to raise awareness and funds. Currently the best way for anyone to get involved in fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy Canada is to check out their Fundraising Events page where you will find a list of many fundraisers taking place here in Canada. Also if you would like to hold a fundraiser of your own you might want to take a look at their Hold your own Fundraising Event page. Also if you would like to learn more about Muscular Dystrophy Canada please read this great article entitled 10 Questions With... Muscular Dystrophy Canada and I am sure aftering reading this article you will have a better understanding of what Muscular Dystrophy Canada is all about.

Stephen's Story: Unbreakable faith

2011-04-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

When it comes to the My Becker's Story blog many of you already know that I created it to share my story about what it is like growing up with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy. Over the last year I have met many great people from parents to people just like me facing similar issues related to living with this form of Muscular Dystrophy. But the truth is Becker's is just a small part of the story there are many different forms of Muscular Dystrophy and from time to time I would like to help other's share their stories. The other day while doing some research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy I came across a few YouTube videos featuring families sharing their stories and a few of them had a very common theme you see many of them went on to say that their faith in God has helped them through every challenge. So the other day I was online searching for stories about people living with Muscular Dystrophy who have a faith in God. I quickly came across a blog by the name of "Stephen's Piece of Life" a blog written by a young man living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. So today I would like to share with you his post entitled "God is still God and God is still Good"

God is Still God and God is Still Good written by: Stephen Musclow

I just recently saw this video about a man that was diagnosed with Cancer, Zac Smith (Google "Zac Smith Cancer") left behind a video when doctors could no longer do anything for him. "Cancer is the best thing that has ever happened to me." Not something you hear very often, is it?" Despite it all, he never lost his faith. "God is still God, and God is still good."

My story is quite different from his, but I too can say that my Muscular Dystrophy is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It took me a very long time to believe and accept this, but my entire life has been a journey to come to this conclusion through my faith in God. When I was real young, I didn't want to die. It scared me terribly, as I'm sure it would to any 7 year old. I didn't understand for years. "What did I do?" "Why am I the one who has to go through this?" Meeting Jesus changed my outlook completely, making me realize my life, however short, is a very good one. I feel blessed and I thank God every single day.

But, a nagging feeling still remained. "Why?" "I could do so much more for God if only I was cured!" I was in love with a girl, but I knew she would never be my wife. I would never be a husband. I would never have a family. I could no longer speak, or have the strength to hug my family and friends. These thoughts plagued me. I wanted to experience these things so badly. Sure, Some moments I still do, but then I realize God decided to give me a better life. A life where I am never alone, a life where He is there every time I call out for Him, a life where He comforts me whenever I feel discouraged.

Would I still see the glory of God without my Muscular Dystrophy? Would I still have my unwavering, unbreakable faith in Him? Though I can't be certain, I don't believe so. God allows for things to happen in our lives, people we meet, experiences we go through, to test our faith. If you didn't go through the many tests and trials throughout your life, would you be the same person you are today? When I go through something tough in my life, and i turn to God, there is nothing I can not overcome. Satan can throw whatever he wants, because God is with me. It's like climbing a mountain, once I climb over my troubles, I can see God's beauty for miles upon miles. Because God is always with me. Everything that has happened in my life has shaped me into the man I am today. I love Jesus with all my heart, soul, and mind. I know true peace through him that I can not find anywhere else. Jesus suffered and died on the cross so that I could live. What other life could I possibly want? Yes, Muscular Dystrophy is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

You can visit Stephen's blog at: http://stephenmusclow.blogspot.com/

And if you would like to learn more about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and other Neuromuscular Disorders please visit:

When Stairs become your worst enemy

2011-03-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

Over the last few years I have faced many challenges related to the progression of my Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy. In recent years stairs have become a major issue now I can still climb them just in my own unique way which usually results in me avoiding stairs all together to avoid the embarrassment. Going downs stairs is even worse and lately my biggest fear has been falling down a flight of stairs since my legs have become a little bit weaker. Sadly even stepping off of a curb can be risky and lately it seems my legs are having a little bit more trouble than they use to.

Now the place where this has become a major issue is at the local movie theatre you see in the past my wife and I would always show up at the theatre about a half hour before the movie was scheduled to start. We would do this since it helped me avoid the embarrassment of a climbing stairs in front of a large crowd. In recent years going to the local theatre has become a major problems for me and most times I am very reluctant to go to the movies since it usually results in me being put in a somewhat embarrassing and sometimes dangerous situation. My biggest fear comes when the movie ends first I have to struggle to get up from my seat then next comes the worst moment when I have to go down the stairs exiting the theatre every time I worry that one of my legs is going to give out resulting in me falling. Thankfully I have been very lucky and I am happy to say that I have never fallen while exiting the theatre but with all the problems I have been facing lately concerning stairs my wife and I are seriously considering going to another theatre that is much more accessible. I always tell my wife about how disappointed I am in our local theatre and that I cannot believe that a theatre built 5 years ago wasn’t designed to properly handle the needs of everyone living with a disability. Sure they have seating at the very front of the theatre but you can ask anyone who uses a wheelchair and they will tell you that this is the worst place to sit since it can be a major struggle to just look up at the screen. And I am thankful that theatres include seating for those who use wheelchairs but some theatre’s are doing a better than others. At our local AMC they actually have four theatres that have accessible seating near the top of the theatre this really help to make my movie going experience much better since this area can be accessed by using an elevator located close to their main entrance. Sadly not every movie I go to see is played in one of these four theatres that is why my wife and I are considering going to a theatre in another city to watch movies since this other one is all one level and has no stairs at all.

With the progression of my Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy I understand some things in my life are going to change. Another form of frustration for me lately comes when ever I am visiting family or friends you see for some reason many of the new homes being built in my area all have 4-5 steps leading up to the front entry. This makes what is suppose to be a simple visit into a major ordeal resulting in stress and sometimes reluctance in visiting peoples homes. As many of you can understand this is a major issue especially in the winter since slippery steps can make walking very risky for those of us living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy. Sadly this past winter my wife and I had a Christmas party to attend and like usual I am faced with a challenge I wasn’t really prepared for you see this party was being held at a new home and what am I greeted with a full flight of stairs leading up to the front entry. Now I am not talking about 4-5 steps you see this home was built with 10-15 steps leading to the front entry so you could imagine my frustration and fears. Thankfully I was very luck that this time I didn’t face any issues climbing up or down these stairs. Now over the years I have learned while living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy that at times there will be many surprises and challenges when it comes to stairs.

Sadly there are times you just aren’t prepared for I actually remember a time at work once when the fire alarms went off and we all had to exit the building at the time I was working on the third floor which meant I had to climb down six flights of stairs to exit the building. This situation didn’t leave me very happy since for the rest of the day I had to deal with having very weak legs which always increases my risk of falling. As you can understand with the progression of my Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy stairs tend to become your worst enemy so these days I avoid them as much as possible. And I know in the distant future I may need to start using a mobility scooter so I hope one day that I will be able to own a home that is set up to handle all of my specific needs. If I am ever lucky enough to own a home of my own it will definitely be a bungalow that wouldn’t have any steps leading to the front entry. This would solve so many of the problems I am already facing since owning a home with no stairs would allow family and friends to just come over to my house and visit me meaning I wouldn’t have to miss out on any family functions due to my inability to climb stairs. And I know no matter what happens when it comes to the progression of Becker's Muscular Dystrophy things are going to change and there isn't much I can do about it I just have to accept these changes and somehow find a way to be ok with the fact that stairs are going to become a major problem for me in the next few years.

A great sense of humour goes a long way

2011-03-16T11:44:00.000-07:00

We all know that growing up with a disability can be pretty frustrating so some of you might be surprised when I say that over the years many things have happened to me that now make me laugh. You can ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I have a great sense of humour which for me comes in very handy in certain situations. Now please don’t get me wrong there is nothing funny about having a disability there are just certain things that have happened to me related to my condition that I find somewhat humorous. Growing up with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy you learn pretty quickly that falling is just something you will have to get use to and at times it does lead to some embarrassing situations. So you can understand that there are many incidences that I still remember even some that happened to me as a child. Over the years I have learned to become very creative when came to dealing with falls that occurred in public. I remember a time as a teen when I joined a few of my friends at a local community event and at one point we decided to take a short cut across some grass and like so many times before I find the one place where the ground is uneven resulting in my leg giving out and me falling. This happened so quickly that my friends didn’t even notice so they just kept on walking but eventually they realize that I was no longer walking with them and at that point they turned around and saw me sitting on the ground they asked what had happened and I said the first thing that came to my mind I told them I had just stopped to tie my shoe. Now obviously this wasn’t the truth but it was the only thing I could come up with at the time and I still think to this day they believe that’s exactly what happened.

To be honest at times through out my childhood I wanted to ignore the fact that I had Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy so I always tried my best to hide the fact that I had a disability. When you’re much younger this is easy to do but when I reached my late teens that’s when things changed. At one point I was actually tempted to just tell people that I have issues walking due to an old football injury thinking it might gain me more acceptance from my peers and of course I never went through with it but it did cross my mind. Now as I got older and once I started working the fact that I had Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy was next to impossible to hide. You see as our muscles get weaker certain situations have a bigger impact on our lives for me the biggest challenge lately has been dealing with adverse weather conditions. I know I shouldn’t be embarrassed but sometimes windy days are the most challenging and I can guarantee you that most people who are living with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy would agree with me that high winds and walking don't mix. I actually remember a time once when I was being dropped off at work on a very windy day and as I was walking towards the front door I was blown off course and the next thing I know I'm walking right into a window. Was this embarrassing? Yes but for some reason this story always makes me laugh since I view this situation similar to a bird that accidentally flies straight into a window. At the time it wasn’t very funny but now I look back at this story and it always makes me laugh. The truth is funny things happen to me all the time just the other day while walking around in my apartment my leg gave out resulting in me falling body checking a display cabinet in our front hall. Thankfully the display cabinet was ok and best of all I was able to avoid injury. Now over the years I haven’t always been so lucky and I know in the future I will face many challenges but for now I aim to stay positive knowing a great sense of humour goes a long way in helping me get through certain situations.

The 2011 Walk for Muscular Dystrophy

2011-02-23T11:21:00.000-08:00

On May 29th, 2011 I will again be joining the Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy just one out of many walks taking place in many cities across Canada. Last year the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy raised over $1,000,000 in 53 locations across Canada. In the Province of Ontario there are a total of 15 Walks taking place and here in the Durham Region this year’s event is again taking place in Whitby, Ontario at the Heydenshore Kiwanis Park. The goal for this year’s event taking place in the Durham Region is to raise $45,000 and all the funds collected from this event go towards enhancing the lives of those affected by over 150 different kinds of neuromuscular disorders. And helps Muscular Dystrophy Canada continue delivering a variety of programs within 5 key areas of service: Education; Information; Advocacy; Support; and Equipment. As a Canadian living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy I am glad that a not-for-profit organization like Muscular Dystrophy Canada exists.

As a young man living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy you can understand that the 2011 Walk for Muscular Dystrophy is very important to me. I really can't wait till the end of May to participate in the walk with my family and friends. This will be just my second year taking part in this great event if you would like to learn more about the walk and my participation in last year’s event please go to: My Becker’s Story the 2010 Walk for Muscular Dystrophy. This year I have the privilege of joining the 2011 Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy planning committee. For 2011 Muscular Dystrophy Canada would like to encourage you to bring your family and friends and enjoy a fun, relaxed community event that raises spirits as well as funds. There you will meet individuals who are affected by neuromuscular disorders and interact in a supportive, fully accessible environment with people who share your passion to make a difference. This family fun event will also include free snacks, refreshments and special surprises!

When it comes to the 2011 Walk for Muscular Dystrophy the My Becker’s Story blog will actually have a team joining the walk with the goal of raising over $500 for the event. If possible please consider supporting the My Becker’s Story 2011 Walk for Muscular Dystrophy team. I am really looking forward to the 2011 Walk and any support is greatly appreciated. Everyone on the My Becker’s Story team is participating in this event to raise money for a great cause. Together, with your support, we can reach our fundraising goal.

To donate click here

The 2011 Walk for Muscular Dystrophy is taking place on May 29, 2011 at the Heydenshore Kiwanis Park in Whitby, Ontario. Hope to see you there!

Early Bird Contest & Recognition Gifts- If you register at least 30 days prior to the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy event you will be eligible for the Early Bird Contest. Also, raise valuable funds and receive great recognition gifts. (For full details Click here)

www.muscle.ca/walk

Great vehicles for those with disabilities - Review: 2012 Mazda 5

2011-02-14T10:29:00.000-08:00

In early 2011 Mazda introduced the all new 2012 Mazda 5 though the side profile hasn’t changed that much the new Mazda 5 will still impress those looking for a unique and sporty drive. For the 2012 model year the Mazda 5 has seen some major changes when it comes to front and rear styling. For 2012 the new front end of Mazda 5 now resembles the Mazda 3 and this isn’t a bad thing as I believe it pulls off this look very well. In the rear gone are the pillar styled tail lights which were replaced with rear tail lights similar to those found on most passenger cars. The interior of the 2012 Mazda 5 is what I would label as sporty and very functional. From what I have seen everything is well with-in reach and like most cars that make my list as being great for those with disabilities the Mazda 5 features Steering wheel-mounted audio controls. This feature is a must when it comes to those with disabilities since it allows us to keep our hands on the wheel and eliminates the issue of having to reach over to change or adjust the radio. The audio system in the 2012 Mazda 5 features MP3 capability and comes standard with an auxiliary audio input jack which provides a convenient connection for portable media devices.

When it comes to the Mazda 5 and its ability to transport a mobility scooter it ranks pretty high since the third row of seating folds flat giving you plenty of room to put a small sized collapsible mobility scooter. I really believe that the Mazda 5 is a great vehicle for those with disabilities who can still walk who are looking for a vehicle that is easy to get in and out of. Now when it comes to vehicles for those who require vans which will eventually need to be converted to fit a large sized scooter then I suggest taking a look at the 2011 Toyota Sienna or even the Dodge Caravan. Currently the 2012 Mazda 5 is a very unique vehicle to the North America market since most car companies no longer sell these types of small sized mini vans. But this is about to change since in the near future Ford is going to be releasing a vehicle currently sold in Europe under the name of the C-Max but I don't think Mazda has anything to worry about. I really consider the 2012 Mazda 5 to be a sports car with mini van like qualities when it comes to cargo space and versatility. I also believe that the 2012 Mazda 5 is a really great vehicle and that right now no other vehicle available in the North America market can beat it. Everyone I speak to about the Mazda 5 agrees that this is one of the coolest mini-vans ever designed and that it is very fun to drive.

The greatest thing about the Mazda 5 is its ride height which results in a vehicle that very easy to get in and out of for those with disabilities who struggle getting up from a low seated position. I think many would agree that the 2012 Mazda 5 excels in all areas in being a great vehicle for those of us living with certain types of disabilities. Mazda did a really good job when it came to redesigning the Mazda 5 and what they have done is put together a really great vehicle that offers sports car handling and great looks. All I have to do now is start saving up to get mine.

Accessibility rating 5/5

for:

-Ride height/seat position

-Quality of product

-Standard safety features

-Cargo room

-Side sliding doors

A big thank you to Whitby Mazda for allowing me to test drive the 2012 Mazda 5 for the purposes of my review.

Whitby Mazda is located at:

1250 Dundas Street East, Whitby, Ontario L1N 2K5

1-866-608-4279

http://www.whitbymazda.com/

Still finding ways to enjoy life

2011-02-08T09:21:00.000-08:00

Living with any type of disability can be difficult and for some it might be hard finding things to do that help them enjoy life. Some people even believe that once they’ve been diagnosed with a disability that there ability to have fun is now diminished. But this is not true now sure there are things you won’t be able to participate in but there are many other way to enjoy life. One thing I have found that allows me to join in with my friends and have a good time is playing the game of poker. The greatest thing about the game is that doesn’t really involve much physical activity and the only area I have ever run into problems while playing is when it comes to shuffling the cards but most times my friends take care of that for me. The whole thing is to find friends who understand the issues you face that way they can include you in almost everything and help you when ever you need assistance. And if you find yourself without a lot of friends don’t worry things will change but in the times when you are alone there are many ways to have fun and enjoy life. In my spare time I like listening to music and this helps me to relax. With all the negative things going on in our day to day lives music can really help relieve a lot of stress. Right now I am listening to an artist by the name of Cee-Lo-Green there just something about his new album that is very calming I call his latest album a classic and there’s only a few songs on the Lady Killer album that I don’t like. Right now I really love the song entitled “Cry baby” I just love it since its unlike any of the music being made today.

I also really enjoy going to the movies but I have really bad luck I usually pick a seat where the person behind me spends the entire movie talking or kicking my seat. But it still a fun experience plus if you go on the right day it’s pretty cheap entertainment. I just wish more theatres were designed a bit better now I can still climb a few steps to about the third or forth row but I feel bad for people who are in wheelchairs who have to sit near the bottom. I prefer theatres with elevators that allow me to sit in the top row that’s why I like going to the local AMC which has four large size theatres that are designed properly to handle the needs of those with disabilities. I am really looking forward to some up coming movies this year one being Fast five the fifth installment of Fast and Furious series. I really believe it should be a great summer since Transformer 3 is also coming out in 2011 I can’t wait.

Thinking about the summer I really can’t wait to start enjoying warm temperatures again today though it is very cold outside but I did see someone in a T-Shirt walking around downtown he must be crazy or in denial. Another thing I really like is stand up comedy I have actually thought about doing it my self but I don’t know if I am really that funny. Maybe one day I’ll get the courage to try it but for now I’ll stick to watching the professionals on TV. Right now my Favourite stand up comedian is Gabriel Iglesias a man who finished sixth in the Last Comic Standing TV show who is now doing pretty well for himself. Now I think everyone can agree that laughter definitely goes a long way in make you feel better about life. Through out my life laughing and having a good time is the way I enjoy life to the fullest maybe it started when I saw my first really funny movie as a child and that was the classic 80’s movie Short Circuit. Also over the last few years I have enjoyed watching many TV shows like King of Queens and just recently I started watch a show called Kid vs. Kat a great show cat owners. Another show I really like right now is called Sidekick a very funny show about a character by the name of Eric who becomes the sidekick of superhero Maxum Man who ends up going missing leaving Eric the sidekick responsible for convincing the world that Maxum Man is still on the job a really great show.

At this point in my life I want to enjoy it and sure at times I feel like I am running out of time to achieve my dreams but I still try and enjoy life as best as I can. And even though the issues I face living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy can be difficult at times I have found things that make me happy and help me get through those times.

What it might take to make my car more accessible

2011-01-31T09:38:00.000-08:00

In recent years with the progression of my Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy my current vehicle has become a bit of a problem for me. Like I have mentioned before everyday I find it a real struggle when it comes to getting in and out of my 1998 Toyota Tercel. The biggest problem is that my car just sits too low to the ground and getting up from a low seated position is now a major issue for me. The other day I was made aware of a Charity in the province of Ontario that offers financial aid when it comes to vehicle modification for those living with physical disabilities. A great program that got me thinking; maybe they could help me by raising my car a few inches to make it easier for me to get in and out of. Being the car guy that I am one day I began searching online for a picture of a car just like mine and eventually came across a website by the name of Andy's Auto Sport where I found the perfect picture. Now since I had some free time the other day I decided "just for fun" to customize this picture of a Toyota Tercel to jokingly illustrate what it might take to make my car more accessible.

Obviously I'm not serious about requesting for this Charity to take my car and customize it in this way since this kind of vehicle modification is pretty much reserved for aftermarket show cars.

Here in Ontario Canada the vehicle modification program offered through the Ontario March of Dimes was created to help assists people with disabilities who own vans that are in need of modifications that will make their vehicles more accessible. This means that once their application is approved they will assist them financially when it comes to the installation of lifts or ramps that allow them to continue driving their vehicles. They also help cover the cost of installing driving aids that making it easier for those with disabilities to drive their vehicles. This is a great program and even though they can’t help me out I would suggest if you have a disability and are in need of vehicle modification related to your disability then please visit the Ontario March of Dimes.

Also if you would like to learn more about vehicles that might be great for those with disabilities then please check out my review of the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox and the 2011 Scion xD.

Thank you andysautosport.com for allowing me to use the picture I found on your website.

Update May 2011

About a month ago my wife and I went out and purchased a previously owned Mazda 5. Sadly we had to get rid of our little Toyota which had been very good us over the years. But we are so very happy to now own a vehicle that is much easier for me to get in and out of. To be honest though sometimes we do miss our little Toyota Tercel.

My thoughts concerning Ontario's Social Assistance Review

2011-01-25T09:49:00.000-08:00

Starting in January of 2011 and ending in June of 2012 the Government of Ontario Canada plans to complete a full review of Ontario’s Social Assistance program. As a young man living with a disability who currently depends on income support from the Ontario Disability Supports Program this study is very important to me. As many of you might already know in just the last few years I have faced many challenges related to the lack of income support provided to me through the Ontario Disability Supports Program. This resulting from the Ontario Disability Supports Program being set up to punish those who get married while on ODSP. Since the day of my marriage from time to time I have seen my income support reduced by almost 95% resulting in financial hardship. Eventually after seeing my income support reduced so drastically I went through the Employment Supports Program then became employed at a local call centre which after some time resulted in a work related injury in the form of Tendonitis.

In this my first post concerning Ontario’s Social Assistance Review I wanted to take the time to share a bit about my experience of being on the Ontario Disability Supports Program then having to become employed and ending up with a work related injury. I tell my story in hopes that when the Social Assistance Review is completed in June of 2012 that the recommended changes result in better treatment of those with disabilities in the work place.
With this post I aim to tell the story about my experiences and make more people aware of the treatment I received from various Provincial and Federal Government Agencys that are suppose to be there to help me.

You see for many years I received income support from the Ontario Disability Supports Program, eventually I married only to see my income support drop by almost 95%. The Ontario Government drastically reduces the income support of those who marry while on ODSP resulting in removing any possibility of that individual of ever being able to be an equal partner in the marriage. After getting married and seeing my income support reduced so drastically I had to find employment since I was being put in a bad situation thanks to the Ontario Disability Supports Program and its policy to punishing people who marry. After a year of looking for suitable employment with the assistance of the Employment Supports Program and a local employment agency I was soon lined up with a job at a local call centre. When I first started the job life was great, I was making a pretty good living but it didn’t take long for things changed. Eventually I ended up with Tendonitis an injury that my doctors told me is commonly seen in people who work at call centres. At first my employer neglected to report my injury to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), surprisingly my injury was reported 3 months later resulting in the WSIB refusing to cover any lost income for days missed related to the injury. And surprisingly my first interaction with the WSIB wasn’t a pleasant one for some reason I was treated very poorly, I was really shocked by the lack of professionalism. Long story short the WSIB did chose to cover my physiotherapy but the second it didn’t seem to be working I was sent to meet with specialists who work for the WSIB. These doctors reviewed my case and came to the conclusion that the Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy was to blame for the injury. At that point I was sent a letter telling me that I was being cut off since my injury is not believed to be work related but was believed to be the result of my current medical condition. In the end the WSIB blamed my tendonitis on me having Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy. As you can understand the decision the WSIB made really put me in bad situation.

Sadly during this time my employer refused to put forth any effort into finding me suitable employment with in the company. At times I was even treated very poorly by the HR department at work who claimed that I use my disability as an excuse too much. Eventually due to poor treatment at work I left the job, and soon after that I applied for Employment Insurance (EI) which I had paid into for the past 5 years and I was denied benefits simply due to the fact that I had been on modified duties and did work enough hours to qualify. So at that time I had to re-apply for income support from the Ontario Disability Supports Program which was approved after 2 months. Through all of this I have come to the conclusion that the WSIB and the Employment Insurance (EI) programs are currently not set up to deal with the needs of those with disabilities in the work place. Another program available to those in Canada who were injured on the job or who have prolonged disabilities that it makes it hard for them to find employment is something called CPP Disability. You see almost every employed Canadian pays into the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) and a small amount is deducted from every pay cheque they receive. Eventually I decided to apply for CPP Disability but found out I didn’t qualify for it since I had only been working for 5 years. To qualify for CPP Disability you have to work at least 6 years and work a certain amount of hours per week to have it deducted from your pay cheque. Since my last two years of employment were spent working reduced hours on modified duties CPP was no longer being deducted from my pay. I really believe some thing needs to change, since some people with disabilities can only work part time hours I consider it unfair to not allow them to qualify for EI and CPP Disability simply because they can’t work full time hours. Both of these programs need to be changed to better accommodate the needs of those with living disabilities.

I believe any review of Ontario’s Social Assistance program must also include suggestions for improvement of all Federal and Provincial programs that are set up to assist those who become employed. What happened to me was wrong, the only mistake I ever made during this time was not appealing the WSIB’s decision when it came to my injury. This is why I would suggest to anyone with a disability who is injured on the job to appeal decisions that affect you in a negative way. Sure they might just deny you, and like me they might even blame your disability for your injury, if they do please appeal their findings as soon as possible. It is you right to challenge any decisions they make concerning any work related injury.

When it comes to the issues of the Ontario Disability Support Program and the Review of Ontario’s Social Assistance Program I really hope that it results in some major changes in the way employed people with disabilities are treated. If the Ontario Disability Supports Program is going offer employment supports to people with disabilities then every Government service should be set up to handle their specific needs with understanding and respect.

Life after being diagnosed with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy

2011-01-18T12:43:00.000-08:00

When I was first diagnosed with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 10 my life really didn’t change that much. The only thing I really noticed is that I just couldn’t keep up with other children my age, but it really didn’t bother me that much. Even as a child most time’s I kept a positive attitude about things, sure I had trouble running which limited my ability to participate in team sports, I just didn’t let it get to me. To be honest most time’s I didn’t allow my condition to keep me from being involved in playing sports with my friends, for most of my childhood I was able to take part in shooting hoops, playing baseball and was even was able to play floor hockey. What really helped me a lot was the fact that growing up most of my close friends knew about my condition and they just allowed me to play sports at my own pace. When I was younger I remember a time when my churches youth group was going to a local park to play a game of soft ball, at first I didn’t think I was going to be able to play, but thankfully one of my friends offered to run for me. This allowed me to join in the game and have a great time with everyone else, and what made that day even better is that when it was my turn up to bat I hit the ball so far that the person running for me actually made it all the way to third. As you can see even with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy I was still able to be involved in sports just in a different way. I really believe that I was lucky that growing I had people in my life who understood what my limitations were.

Sure growing up I ran into a few problems, but to be honest having Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy really didn’t end up ruining my life. From the day of my diagnosis to at least the age of 18 my life wasn’t that bad there was actually many things I could still do. Stairs were a bit of a problem but when I was younger I was still able to climb stairs, I just had to climb them in my own unique way. But my biggest problem with stairs came when I had to go down them; you see I had to be very careful since there were a few times as a child that my legs gave out resulting in me falling down the stairs. As you can see living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy I have faced a few challenges and at time's I had to adapt to the situation and do things in a way that works best for me. I learned pretty quickly that when going down stairs I really have to take my time, it's was the same when it came to me and playing sports I just had to do it at my own pace. You see there’s many things I was still able to do as a child, I even joined my friends when ever they would go to the local amusement park, sure I had to take a lot of breaks but I still had a great time. You see growing up I never allowed the Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy to get in my way of having fun.

For some reason even though there were things I still couldn't do I never let those things get me down. I was lucky my childhood outside of school was pretty good; you see I was still able to go out and play pool, go to the mall to hang out with friends and even go to summer camp. In my early teens I actually remember a time when I went to a camp by the name of Circle Square Ranch where I took part in a three week Leaders in Training program. As you can see I wasn’t always limited by Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy. Now I’m not saying my life was easy, physically there were thing I couldn’t do, but I didn't focus on them. You see when I was a child I had many different hobbies that ended up helping me get through the tough times. Growing up I was really into cars, I actually collected car magazines, brochures and even die-cast cars. I was also really into music and that also took up a big part of my time. As you can see I always focused on what made me happy, and it helped me immensely. So if you have recently been diagnosed with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy the best advice I can give you is to just focus on the things in life you can do and I guarantee you like me you'll find a way to enjoy life. Just know you’re not the only one going through this and that you have the support of all of us living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy.

Great vehicles for those with disabilities - Review: 2011 Scion xD

2011-01-11T06:18:00.000-08:00

Recently I was given the opportunity to drive the 2011 Scion xD, and I had just three days to find out what makes the xD a great vehicle for those of us with disabilities. When I picked up the xD it was a cold winters day, it was actually December 20th just five days before Christmas. And after driving my little old Toyota Tercel I viewed the Scion xD as an early Christmas present, that sadly I would have to return in just three days. What caught my eye about the 2011 Scion xD was the way it seemed to sit just a little higher then other vehicle’s in it’s class. And once I was behind the wheel I discovered that thanks to the height and placement of the front and rear seats that the Scion xD is a very easy vehicle to get in and out of. And when it came to daily use I was very impressed with how easy the Scion xD made my life. One of the best features of the Scion xD is it’s rear hatch, which went a long way in eliminating a lot of issue’s I face with my current vehicle. The rear hatch makes the cargo area very accessible, for me trips to the local grocery store were made easier, since driving a vehicle with a rear hatch resulted in me no longer having to struggle when getting things in and out of the rear of a vehicle.

When it comes to the interior of the xD I found the seats to be very comfortable and found that they offered great support ever during longer road trips. In the rear the seats fold flat and actually also recline a little allowing rear passengers to relax. I found the interior provided a great amount of quality materials and the lay out of the dash made the Scion xD a very user friendly daily driver. When it comes to the interior I really enjoyed being behind the wheel of the xD, as I found that it was very easy to access the cruise control, and climate control buttons. And even better the Multifunctional audio Controls located on the steering wheel made using the audio system a very easy task. I really found the standard Pioneer Audio System offered great sound quality and the USB plug in option was a great feature since it allowed me to listen to the music on my MP3 player. Another part of the interior that impressed me was the dual glove box, which worked perfectly and I found both compartments easy to use, even when both were open at the same time. When it comes down to it I found the Scion xD offered an appropriate amount of cargo room for all my needs.

The 2011 Scion xD comes equipped with six standard air bags, and also includes standard safety features such as ABS, Vehicle Stability Control and even Brake Assist. Another great feature of the Scion xD is that it also comes with standard side impact beams which go a long way in protecting vehicle occupants in the event of a crash. With all these features the Scion xD is not only a great vehicle for those with disabilities but anyone who is looking into purchasing a new vehicle. I really believe that the Scion xD is a really great looking vehicle, that offers many unique features and options. I'd have to say I really enjoyed my time with the 2011 Scion xD, and I was very impressed by it’s 1.8-liter engine that provided more than adequate acceleration along with great fuel economy. But one of the best things about my time with the Scion xD was it resulted in the elimination of one the biggest problems I face living with a disability. You see for the first time in years and sadly for just three days I no longer had to struggle getting in and out of a vehicle. For those three days I was very happy to drive the Scion xD since it provided me with the perfect ride height, this allowing me to just slide in and out of the drivers seat, this resulting in me having more energy to make it through the day. This in it self makes the 2011 Scion xD a great vehicle for people with disabilities. So if you're looking for a great vehicle that will make your life easier then I have to recommend you take a look at the 2011 Scion xD.

Accessibility rating 5/5

for:

-Ride height/seat position

-Quality of product

-Unique features & Options

-Standard safety features

-Cargo room

A big thank you to Scion Canada for allowing me to spend a few days test driving the 2011 Scion xD for the purposes of my review.

http://www.scionnation.ca/scion

My Beckers Story: Top 5 posts of 2010

2010-12-30T09:41:00.000-08:00

First I wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year, I really hope everybody enjoyed the Christmas season. In just two days we will be celebrating a new year, for me 2010 was a great year for the My Beckers Story blog. Over the past year I have had the privilege of meeting so many other people who are facing this same issue. For me it is amazing to hear the similarities in the stories of other's who are also living with Beckers Muscular Dystrophy. I have learned so much over the last year, and the greatest thing for me is learning that we are not alone in this and that there are many people out there who understand what we are going through. And I am so glad that so many of us are able to connect thanks to the blog and the My Becker Story facebook page.

Since 2010 is now almost over I wanted to take the time to let everyone know which blog posts saw the most visitors this past year. Here's the Top 5.

My Beckers Story: Top 5 post of 2010

#1 - Living with Beckers: My Story

#2 - Living with Beckers Muscular Dystrophy

#3 - A little bit about me the author of My Beckers Story

#4 - Ontario Government hard on people with disabilities

#5 - Great vehicle for those with disabilities? Review: 2011 Chevrolet Equinox

I really look forward to 2011, and I believe it should be another great year. But most of all I can't wait to join in the 2011 Walk for Muscular Dystrophy. And bring you more stories about the issue's we face living with Beckers Muscular Dystrophy.

Accessibility and the need for improvement

2010-12-18T11:17:00.000-08:00

When it comes to accessibility for those of us with disabilities even today I know some of us still face many obstacles. You see for me living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy I believe I face issues with accessibility more often then I should have to. And I don’t really know why it still surprises me when I find businesses or establishments that are not set up to meet the needs of those of us with disabilities. I am even more surprised to see so many newer business’s in my community that are not set up to properly deal with the issues we might face. After living in the same community for many years I now know which places to avoid and which one’s are ok for me to visit. Sometime’s I wonder if I struggle with accessibility issues my self and I am still able to walk, then what must it be like for someone who use’s a wheel chair or a mobility scooter on a daily basis.

This past year after becoming more familiar with Muscular Dystrophy Canada I found out that they hold a yearly fundraiser called the Chair-Aware Challenge. Now the challenge is pretty simple all you have to do is sign up to spend an entire day using a wheel chair. For 2011 I believe this fund raiser event will also be known as the Wheelchair Dare Challenge. Here In Ontario this event takes place in Ottawa and Toronto, all you have to do is raise a minimum of $1000 in pledges, then you pick a day during one of these events and a wheelchair will then be delivered to the location of your choice. What a great way to make people more aware of the issue’s those with Muscular Dystrophy face. This is a great chance to show people what it is like to have their mobility severely limited; this goes a long way in providing them a better prospective of the issues those who use wheelchairs face. And I am pretty sure you could ask anyone who has taken part in this challenge what the experience was like and they would tell you this world really needs to become more aware of the challenges those with limited mobility face.

Currently at this stage of my Becker's Muscular Dystrophy I do not require the use of a wheel chair or mobility scooter, but I still face major obstacles when it comes to accessibility. Now sometime’s the issues are small and others are easily resolved, but from time to time I face issues with accessibility that I just should have to. Here in my own community I face many challenges, and some just surprise me. Recently a local shopping centre turned two large sized accessible parking spots into four smaller one's and now these accessible parking spots are the same size as regular old parking spots. To me it makes no sense to reduce the size of any accessible parking spots, what they have done results in parking spaces that some of us can't use. Think about it, what about those of us who need the extra space just to get out of our vehicles. And even worse what about those who drive specially equipped vans who use lifts or ramps in order to get in and out of their vehicles? I'm pretty sure someone just wasn't thinking. You see part of the problem is that sometime’s accessibility seems to just be an after thought. I've even found accessible parking spots in my community where the curb cut is directly in front of the vehicle, making it next to impossible for anyone to use. Ask anyone with mobility issues and they will tell you that these curb cuts are very important and go along way in helping them make it through the day.

Accessible Curb Cut

Sadly when it comes to these curb cuts I find that at some plazas they are non-existent or simply placed in area’s that cause people to have to go out of their way to use them. Another issue some of us face is having to deal with parking lots or shopping plaza's where the curb height is just too high, making it difficult for some of us to step up and down with out risking a fall. And as you know this list could go on and on, the only thing I can say now is we need to do a better job educating people on this subject so more people can be focused on making the world more accessible for those with disabilities.

Here in Ontario our local and provincial government is working on plans to make our communities more accessible by 2025. I truly hope it doesn’t take that long.

This is why I encourage people to take part in the Wheelchair Dare Challenge, to learn more about the struggles some of us face. For more information on the Wheel Chair Dare Challenge just click on the picture below. Or visit http://www.muscle.ca/ to find out if one is taking place in your area.

Donations to Canadian Charities down by $1 billion over last 2 years

2010-12-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

Recently a report was released that states that charitable donations in Canada have dropped by nearly $1 billion over the last 2 years. This shocked me and made me wonder what might be behind this major drop in support for many great Charities. Some reports claim that the majority of people who donate to Canadian Charities are 55 plus, meaning that many people below the age of 55 are not able to donate on a regular basis. I really wonder what's behind this? I believe some factors are coming into play, maybe it’s the way some people view giving, these days many people want something in return, maybe that is why Charity lotteries have grown so much in popularity over the last 5 years. These days many people spend a couple of hundred dollars on some charity lottery ticket’s and view that as a great way to donate to the charity of their choice. Sure doing this isn’t wrong, but if this is causing people to stop donating to Charities then we might have a problem. You see here in Ontario alone there are five different Charity lotteries that I know of, and if people are buying 1 ticket at a cost of $100 each then their spending $500 a year. When it comes down to it I believe that some people might just be playing charity lotteries and that this is there only form of giving when it comes to Canadian Charities. I hope that’s not the case.

Here in Ontario another factor behind this drop in Donations might be the fact that so many new Casinos have been built here in the last 5 years. And like most they draw big crowds, in Niagara Falls, Ontario its Casinos have become more of an attraction than the Horseshoe Falls. I myself have gone to the Casino and every time I go I am amazed by the amounts of money some people are spending in hopes of winning a large prize. But the truth is many people are just throwing hundreds and even thousands of dollars away. Sometime it’s sad to see knowing that so many people would benefit even if they gave just a small portion of the money they were spending to a local or national Charity. And I am sure everyone knows these Casino’s aren’t there to lose, there only purpose is to get as much of your money as possible while giving you very low odds of winning any prize. To me when it comes to Casino’s I refuse to waste my money and time, to me it is truly a shame that the Province of Ontario has become the Las Vegas of the North. For me from now on I am going to severely limit my time spent in Casino’s, I actually plan to make a new years resolution to take any money I would have spent at a Casino and instead take that money and donate it to Muscular Dystrophy Canada, for obvious reasons. That is my plan and I encourage other’s to consider donating to a local or national charity of their choice in 2011, and if you love going to the casino that’s fine just consider taking a small portion of that money and donate it to worthy cause.

More of my thoughts on Charity Lotteries:

When it comes to charity lotteries most of us can agree that these lotteries are very helpful in raising funds and awareness. The main source of interest in these charity lotteries are all the great prize that are available to be won. Many people pay the $100 ticket purchase price in hopes of winning new cars, homes, trips and even million dollar top prizes.

In the past when I have played one of these lotteries my only real motivation was to win a prize. To this day I haven’t been very lucky when ever I have played one of these lotteries. In the end though it does feel good to know my money is going towards a good cause. My only concern is that some people strictly play these charity lotteries hoping to win prizes and that this is the there only involvement in donating or supporting certain charities. In someway it is possible that some of these charity lotteries could be taking away some support from other charities that don’t run a charity lottery. When it comes down to it I truly hope that this is not the case. That is why I ask anyone who chooses to play one of these lotteries to also consider making a donation to local or national charity organizations who help to support those in need. And sure prizes are a good way to gain exposure for some charities and this is good, but it is also a good idea to donate to local charities every time you buy one of these lottery tickets.

As many of us know not every charity needs to give away prizes or have a yearly lottery to help raise awareness or funds. The truth is that many charities already have the support of many who choose to donate on a regular basis. Such things as charity walks and even marathons go a long way in raising awareness and funds for many of these charities. And many of us know that sometime’s it takes the efforts of a just few people to help these organizations and charities gain the support they need. But still many charities are in need and that why I ask everyone who plays these charity lotteries to also donate to help local and National Charities who help to support a certain cause or need.

Great vehicles for those with disabilities - Review: 2012 Chevrolet Equinox

2010-11-29T14:10:00.000-08:00

When it comes to vehicles that are viewed as great vehicles for those of us with disabilities, these days many vehicles come to mind. Previously I have completed reviews of the Mazda 5, Hyundai Accent and the Honda Fit. Today I would like to take a look at the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, sure it's an SUV but it might surprise you how great of a vehicle this is for those of us with mobility issues. Recently I visited my local Chevrolet Dealership and took sometime to look at the all new Equinox, I was very impressed. I only have great things to say about the interior, first off the way the dashboard has been set up to surround you putting everything at your finger tips making it very easy to access the radio, cruise control, and climate control buttons.

Unlike smaller sized SUV's the 2011 Equinox gives buyers plenty of cargo room and with the rear lift gate opened it becomes very easy placing items inside, and there is more than enough room for you to put your groceries or even a small sized mobility device such as a collapsible scooter or walker. And even if you require the use of a full size mobility scooter you don't have to worry since a company by the name of tilt-a-rack now sells a device that you just attach to your vehicle's trailer hitch, it's simply a rack that you flip down, once flat you can then put the ramp down and place your mobility scooter on the rack. This makes pretty much any vehicle that you might find that works best for you and your disability a great vehicle for those with disabilities who use large size mobility scooters.

OnStar feature

When it comes to the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, I'd have to say I am very impressed, along with being a great vehicle for those with mobility issue's it also offers a really great safety feature that goes a long way in helping those of us with disabilities. This feature is known as OnStar, and with a touch of a button you're connected to a live advisor who can help you along your way with Turn-by-Turn Directions. The OnStar system also features hands free calling, but one of it's best features for those of us with disabilities is that if we ever run into an emergency we can press OnStar's red Emergency button and we will automatically connected to a specially trained emergency advisor. With a feature like OnStar one can relax knowing if they ever run into a problem OnStar can send help right away. For me this feature would really help me immensely since having Becker's Muscular Dystrophy takes away my ability to change a flat tire or walk a long distance if I ever ran out of fuel. So when it comes down to it I believe that if you're looking for a new vehicle and you have a disability you may want to look at the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox.

Accessibility rating 5/5

for:

-Ride height/seat position

-Cargo Room

-Trailer hitch option for tilt-a-rack

-Standard Safety features

-OnStar

A big thank you to Nurse Chevrolet Cadillac for allowing me to test drive the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox for the purposes of my review.

Nurse Chevrolet Cadillac is located at:

1530 Dundas Street East, Whitby, Ontario L1P 1Z1

1-866-981-7887
http://www.billnurse.com/

Employment for people with disabilities

2010-11-10T10:43:00.000-08:00

First let’s start with the facts, when it come to those of us living with disabilities, most of us want to work and find suitable jobs so that we can provide for ourselves and our families. And yes not everyone who has a disability is able to work, but for those of who can or want to we still face many barriers. Sadly some employers are not interested in hiring people with disabilities, now none of them will come out and say this, but some are reluctant due to the fact that they really don’t know how to handle some of the issue’s we face. And sure some employer’s are better than others, but unfortunately some even today are not open to creating jobs or employing people with disabilities.

For me my biggest problem living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy has been finding suitable employment. The thing that frustrates me the most is that a lot of the jobs I can do are not available to me, since these jobs are only reserved for those with job seniority. Unfortunately, we do live in a world where nobody wants to see someone jump ahead of them, for any reason, especially when they have put in many years of hard work, and I understand where they are coming from. Truth is most people work pretty hard at what they do and deserve to be rewarded for it, and the reality is that most people work hard with the goal of one day being promoted. But sadly some of us with disabilities can’t work our way up from the bottom, what we need is that somewhat simple job right away, and I am not saying we need to be treated different from other employees, but when it comes to employment more companies need to be open to provide us suitable employment that addresses our specific needs. At time’s I really wish I could be employed as a security guard, but one that only watch’s the security camera’s, many large store such as Wal-Mart have people who do this all day. Unfortunately they have other duties as well, so the frustrating thing me is that full requirements of this position take away any possibility of me ever getting that job. And I have looked into it and sadly not one security company sets aside jobs that people with disabilities can do. To me it seems like I am always thinking of employment that might work for me, but when I look into it I find the physical requirements of the job ruin everything. Now I could go on and on listing job’s that I think I can do, but most times there seems to be a physical aspect of the job I can’t do, and that is very frustrating.

Most days I spend wishing more jobs were available to those of us with physical disabilities. When it comes down to it I really believe the biggest thing that is lacking in my country is job creation for those of us with disabilities. To be honest some people living with disabilities have no choice but to be on social assistance, simply because they can’t find suitable employment. Here in the Province on Ontario, Canada our current Government has the mind set that all people with disabilities should find some sort of employment. But at the same time they refuse to set aside jobs with-in the Government for people with disabilities. When I start to think about some of the Government jobs that are available, I get really frustrated because I know there are many jobs they could offer me. Now I am not saying that it is just the Government who needs to reserve jobs for people with disabilities, but every large size company out there needs to be more open to the idea.

When it comes to my struggle I honestly never thought that finding suitable employment would be so hard, but the truth is the employment world is not set up to deal with the those of us with disabilities. Here in Ontario our Government offers employment programs for people with disabilities, but all they do is teach you how to search for a job, while offering no help in finding employment. You see most people with disabilities who are looking for a job for the first time usually have resumes with little to no work experience. This is the first barrier we face, and sadly most companies over look people with disabilities and tend to hire those with work experience. Ask anyone and they will tell you that interviews can be pretty tough, and if you don’t answer the questions properly you don’t get the job, that just reality. But for those of us who are lucky enough to find employment, we can still run into problems related to our disabilities, it happened to me when I had to deal with Ontario’s Workers' Compensation Board which is known a WSIB. You see over time I developed tendonitis in my shoulders and it ended up taking away my ability to do my job. Long story short due to this injury over the next few months I missed more than a few days of work and the WSIB refused to cover my loss of earnings, putting me in a bad place financially. Now for a while they did cover the cost of physiotherapy but eventually choose to cut me off blaming my injury on my disability. As you can see some things truly need to change, look at me I was employed, then I got tendinitis in my shoulders, and the system in place set up to help me, really let me down. So now I am not only living with the issue’s related to having Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy, but also facing major issue’s related to the tendonitis that mainly affecting my right arm.

When it comes to the issue's some of us face I believe that most people would agree that when it comes to employment and those living with disabilities, some things need to change. And that the programs that are currently in place need to be set up to deal with the unique needs of those of us working who have disabilities. The truth is that some employer’s need to be better educated when it comes to employing people with physical disabilities. I really hope things change soon making employment accessible to all.

Winter Survival for those with disabilities

2010-11-04T09:30:00.000-07:00

Well it’s almost here, soon we will be driving in a winter wonderland, time to get your self ready for freezing cold days, snow covered road ways, slippery walkways and winter fun. Some look forward to winter and having a great time, sure there are many things to do this time of year, for some it means taking advantage of ski hills, winter festivals and for some lucky kids playing hockey in the back yard ice rink. Then there’s those things most don’t look forward to and that’s scraping off the car, shovelling the driving way, then having a snowplow drive by only to create a snow bank at the end of your driveway, resulting in more shovelling. You see for some the winter means nothing but hard work for nearly 6 months. Sure winter has it’s moments but for some of us winter can be the most challenging time of our lives.

Like most I never look forward to winter weather, I hate how fast the seasons change, I am not a fan of freezing cold temperatures, and sure snow is beautiful but slippery walkways and ice isn’t really that fun to deal with. The winter season usually leads to many problems, some related to the Muscular Dystrophy and some related to people just not taking care of slippery walkways and parking lots. When it comes to winter some days I wonder how so many are able to deal with it and make it through the day. You see for those of us with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy once winter arrives all the stress and frustration begins. You could ask anyone with a physical disability who struggles walking in deep snow or on ice if they look forward to winter and they would tell you that winter can be a very stressful time of year. Most of us with disabilities would much rather just stay inside relaxing instead of going out and risking a fall or injury. The one thing that bugs me the most about winter is how fast the weather changes, it’s crazy one minute its clear skies, then the next thing you know here comes the snow and freezing rain. It has happened to me so many time’s, I go into the mall, the next thing I know I come out and the walk to my car is now a slippery one, thanks to the freezing rain that fell while I was shopping. Some of you might understand what I feel like when I hear we going to get freezing rain. You see where I live my parking spot is so far away from the buildings entrance, that at certain times my walk to the car can be a very challenging one. To be honest I am some what envious of those people who are lucky enough to have close parking spots. I really wish I lived somewhere with underground parking, maybe it is time to start looking. You see in the city I live in apartment buildings are not required to have parking for people with disabilities, so it is a common sight to see no accessible parking, let’s hope that changes soon.

When it comes down to it I believe that the issue’s those with disabilities face during the winter time could be eliminated if people just did what they were suppose to do during the winter. Most would agree snow and ice removal is very important, but sadly many businesses and even home owners don’t take it very seriously. It is frustrating to know that simple things such as people not clearing walkways and parking lots of snow and ice is what is holds some of us back from being able to make it through the season. I truly believe some people just don’t care and that worries me, it seems like people in society are just more concerned with their own needs, than to take the time and think about others. So I would like to ask all home and business owners to please take care of your property during the winter as this would go a long way in helping those living with disabilities.

Lastly there a few things I have learned over the years that have helped me make it through the winter, so please consider some of these suggestions:

-Every winter buy a bag of salt, or even better buy some type of environmentally friendly product that does the same job. You can spread it around your vehicle to help reduce ice build up, helping to reduce the risk of slip and falls.

-Look into purchasing a pair of Yaktrax slip on ice walkers, these are usually made of rubber and have metal coils or spikes on the bottom that help give you better traction in slippery winter conditions.

-If you live in apartment building if possible look into requesting a parking spot that is close to the entrance, this will help limit walking distance reducing the risk of a fall. Also if possible try and find a place that offers underground parking.

-If you are currently working try and make sure to let your employer know about your situation, this gives them the opportunity to act appropriately.

All I can say is that when it comes to winter just be careful, and hopefully some of the suggestions I have made help you make it through the winter.

Bullied, picked on and teased: My Story

2010-10-27T10:23:00.000-07:00

Through out my school years there were many times as a child when I was bullied and picked on. You see having Beckers Muscular Dystrophy affected my ability to participate in gym class and other activities around school and once the others kids noticed this they just wouldn't leave me alone.
Its sad that once kids start noticing there's something different about you they feel the need to point it out. You see I couldn't participate in most physical activities at school so I guess that's what made me an easy target. It seems stupid thinking about it now but the only reason they chose to pick on me was due to the fact that I couldn't keep up physically. I really think it's unfair that kids even today are facing the same issues I did. No child deserves to be picked on, called names, pushed around, tripped or even teased because of the way they walked. I think its time to take this issue more seriously.

I am glad to say I survived being bullied but no child should have to be afraid of going to school. No student should have to spend their days stressed out and worried about being picked on. I really believe that the worst thing about being bullied is that it can happen at anytime - usually when a teacher isn't around. I was mainly bullied during recess and the bus ride to and from school. And it was hard at times since it was a common daily occurrence you see these kids were relentless in making fun of me. I guess by now you can fully understand the reasons why growing up as a child going to school was my least favourite thing to do. Many times through out the year I would pretend I was feeling sick just so I could miss a few days of school. I did this on many occasions to avoid being bullied. But most times I couldn't avoid it, there was a time when it was so bad that after recess I stayed outside hidden behind a portable till I felt like going back in. And sure there were a few times when I had to stand up to the kids who were picking on me, but this usually didn’t end well, most times I would just end up in detention or in the Principal's office awaiting suspension.

As you can understand being bullied isn’t a nice thing to go through and the affects on some can be tragic. Honestly fighting back physically or seeking revenge isn’t always a good idea. In school it is always best to report bullying to your teacher or someone you trust. The thing to understand about bullying is that at some point it will end. But hopefully as a society we can join together to make sure it never even starts. Sure it's sad that it took until I graduated from high school for it all to end. Sadly back when I was in school teachers didn’t really want to deal with bullying thinking it was just kids being kids. I actually had a teacher say to me, “The only reason they call you names is because you react to it“, he then told me to just ignore the insults. Thinking back this teacher should have done more when I told him that other students were calling me names. That's why I really hope that today's teachers and school boards are doing what it takes to bring bullying to an end. What they need to do is start teaching their students from day one is that no one deserves to be treated poorly because they are somewhat different or have a physical disability.

For more info or help with bullying in Canada you can go to:

Please if you have Becker's Muscular Mystrophy and are being bullied feel free to join the My Becker's Story Facebook page, everyone there would love to get to know you. You have our support and if you need someone to talk please leave us a comment on our Facebook page - some of us have been where you are and will do our best to help. Again in Canada you can always call the Kids Help Phone line at 1-800-668-6868

Join us at: facebook.com/mybeckersstory

Thank you for visiting the My Becker's Story blog!

Ontario Government hard on people with disabilities who get married

2010-10-20T09:05:00.000-07:00

Growing up with a disability is hard enough but when your own Government treats you poorly simply because you have a disability then we have a big problem. If you don’t already know the Government of Ontario offers income support to those of us living with disabilities. This income support comes from the Ontario Disability Supports Program which is often referred to as ODSP. The Ontario Government says it created ODSP to give Income Support to people with disabilities who are in financial need to help them pay for living expenses, like food and housing. But ask anyone who relies on the Ontario Disability Supports Program and they will tell you that the income support they receive doesn’t even come close to matching the true cost of living in the Province of Ontario. And I will admit the program does have its benefits but it also has some major flaws.

One major issue I have with the Ontario Disability Supports Program is how it treats those who are on the program who choose to or are lucky enough to get married. You see when someone on ODSP gets married the Ontario Government says it now becomes the responsibility of the working non-disabled spouse to support their disabled spouse financially. Now they are still able to receive income support from the program but now the non-disabled working spouse has to submit pay stub on a monthly basis. This so that ODSP can reduce the income support the person in the relationship with the disability receives. To me it is truly sad the Government of Ontario seems enjoys taking away the independence and freedom of those with disabilities who are on ODSP; by removing any possibility for them to fully an equally participate in marriage. Ask anyone in finance and they will tell you we live in a time when it takes two incomes to survive. When it comes down to it the Government of Ontario through its Ontario Disability Supports Program is discouraging people who don't have a disability, from marring anyone who is on ODSP since they will only be punished for it. I believe and some might agree that it is completely wrong for any Government to take away freedom and independence from those of us living with disabilities. But that is exactly what the Government of Ontario is doing. As you see the Ontario Disability Supports Program is set up to hold those with disabilities back again by removing any possibility for them to ever be able to fully participate equally in marriage when it comes to finances.

As I looked further into the Ontario Disability Supports Program it really surprised me that they don’t treat parents the same way they do spouses. You see the Government of Ontario claims that parents are not required by law to financially support their children. This means that the parents of a child living at home on ODSP can make over $100,000 a year and the Government will never reduce the income support their child receives. That’s means the parents of someone on ODSP can make nearly $8000 a month and not be required to take care of their own children. This comes as a shock to me; I just don’t understand why the Ontario Disability Supports Program is set up this way. I think it is incredibly unfair to treat parents and spouses of those on ODSP differently. To me it is wrong for the Government of Ontario to put income limits on the spouses of those on ODSP, if they are not going to do the same to parents whose children still live at home. And please don't get me wrong I have no problem with people on ODSP who live at home receiving full income support from the program, they truly need it and deserve it. My issue is that I believe the Government of Ontario must stop placing financial limits on those with disabilities simply because they get married. I believe that the time is now to make the Province of Ontario a place that allows people with disabilities who are on ODSP to equally contribute and be involved in every aspect of marriage even when it comes to finances.

Interesting facts:

-The Ontario Disability Supports Program employs case workers who make close to $1250 per week before taxes, that’s $5000 a month. (Someone who is married and on ODSP may only get between $200-$400 to contribute to their marriage per month.)

-Ontario Disability Supports Program case workers are making nearly $60,000 a year. (While someone with a disability who is married and on ODSP receives below $5000 for an entire year, creating an un-equal balance in the marriage when it comes to finance.)

-People who get married while on ODSP see their income support drop by 80% putting them at a disadvantage when it comes to marriage. This drop in income can also lead to divorce resulting from the added stress of being married while on ODSP.

-The Ontario Disability Supports Program is responsible for causing some to be reluctant in starting relationships with some who has a disability that is on ODSP. This is very wrong!

As you can see from time to time I like to address issues that affect all people living with disabilities.

Becker's Muscular Dystrophy and Playing sports

2010-10-12T20:14:00.000-07:00

When it comes to living with a physical disability many can understand that it can really limit our ability to be involved in certain activities. For me the main thing that having Becker Muscular Dystrophy has kept me from being able to do is play sports. In many countries around the world kids being involved in playing sports is a big part of their life. In Canada a lot of us grew up around street hockey, so for most us hockey is a big part of our lives. For me growing up I was lucky enough at one point in my life before my diagnoses to play soccer on a local team. I was maybe 6 or 7 at the time and I was actually able to score one goal, simply from being in the right place at the right time. Still I could barely keep up with the other kid`s, but it was really fun playing and being part of a team. Eventually though the Muscular Dystrophy did take away my ability to run, so my days of being involved in team sports were over. So from that point on I was always stuck sitting on the sidelines watching the other kids play. So at a very young age I was use to sitting out, but eventually I was exempted from gym class in school so the feelings of being left out faded away.

Xbox 360 ring of death

Eventually, thanks to a little company by the name of Sega which introduce their first gaming system, I was able to get back into playing sports. You see playing video games gave me the opportunity to participate in physically demanding sports that I would never be able to in real life. See these gaming systems changed everything for me, growing up I always had the dream of becoming a professional race car driver like Jeff Gordon, and owning a gaming system gave me the opportunity to do this. Now over the years I have owned many different gaming systems, a couple years ago I use to own an Xbox 360, but ever since it greeted me one day with the red ring of death I haven’t been able to play it since. I guess maybe I need to send an e-mail to Microsoft thanking them for the 5 pound paper weight. Next time I think I`ll get the PlayStation 3.

As you can see I have faced a few issues related to not being able to be involved in playing sports as a result of having Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy. But thankfully I found things that allowed me to adapt to the changes I was facing in life. Sure for some it might not be this easy, but for me I am thankful that gaming systems like the PlayStation 3 and even the problem plagued Xbox 360 for giving me the ability to play sports again. For me this was my solution to living with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy and not being able to join in playing sports.

Living with Beckers Muscular Dystrophy

2010-10-07T09:14:00.000-07:00

Growing up with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy definitely has its challenges. And over the years I have faced many issues that at time's have left me feeling pretty frustrated. I could remember a time as a child even before my diagnoses when falling was a common everyday occurrence. Thankfully none of these falls ever resulted in injury though I did come close to twisting ankle a couple times. As you can understand this was very frustrating but I did learn a few thing's from going through this, I came to realize that when it comes to avoiding falls that wearing the right pair of shoe’s is very important. I made the mistake a few years back when I bought a pair of Reebok running shoes, they actually ended up hurting my feet when ever I would wear them for a long period time. So now I am back to wearing Nike's and I really believe that they are best, since they are built to last and give my heel along with my ankle the support they need to make walking a little bit easier for me. You see when you find a pair of shoe's that work for you stick with them.

Another source of frustration for me growing up was the issue's I faced concerning the size of my calf muscles. You see for those of us with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy our Calf muscles are enlarged, this happens as a result of the body attempting to compensate for the loss of muscle strength, this usually occurs between the ages of 5-15. When I noticed this happening I felt a little self conscious about the way they looked. At times this kept me from wearing shorts in public, so growing up I really never wore shorts. Eventually I did get over this issue and now I am actually a little bit more open to the idea of wearing shorts in the summertime. I guess the biggest issue for me was the fear of what people would think. But when it came down to it any comments people made were surprisingly very positive, most people actually thought I worked out or something. They had no idea that I have Becker's Muscular Dystrophy. At this point in my life, I am no longer overly concerned with this issue, I just had to learn to accept myself the way I am.

Another issue I faced growing up was having to deal with a variety of weather conditions that at times made life a little difficult. Sadly for some of us even a windy day can cause some major problems. For me this mainly happens when I have to walk directly into the wind. And in the winter when you add snow and ice to those high winds it ends up creating a somewhat dangerous situation for me. Sure I'm a Canadian but I really don't like winter, honestly I am some what jealous of those who are fortunate enough to live in area’s where they don’t have to deal with winter. But unfortunately I’m stuck here having to deal with winter and another season of slips and falls. Truthfully I believe that many of these issue's I face in the winter could be eliminated if more people just took the time to properly clear snow and ice from parking lots and walkways. As you can understand winter is a very frustrating time for me, but some things I can't change, so for now I just deal with it. But I do always look forward to that time of the year when winter comes to an end and spring arrives, at that time I can finally relax.

As many can understand growing up with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy can be tough at times, but for me it is comforting to know that I am not alone in this. And that I have the support of my family and friends, along with many great organizations around the world who help to support those of us living with Muscular Dystrophy. And sure I have been through a lot over the years, but through it all I have learned a few things. Like when it comes to avoiding falls I now know that wearing the proper shoes can really help. When it comes to the issues concerning the appearance of my calf muscles, I really have no reason to worry about what other people think. Since most people who see them actually think I work out or something. And lastly when it comes to certain weather conditions especially in winter I just need to be as careful as possible to avoid icy walkways and parking lots. And hopefully sharing my story will help to encourage people to do a better job of clearing snow and ice from their property. In the end I hope this post goes a long way in raising awareness about the issue's those of us face living with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy.

Turning a bad situation into an opportunity to raise awareness and help other’s

2010-09-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

Growing up with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy has its challenges, and over many years I actually tried to ignore this fact, but time and time again little things would happen that would quickly remind me of my condition. Many times over the years honestly I felt alone in my struggle, the worst times for me are those times when I am alone in public walking around in a store or just simply stepping off a curb when my leg gives out and I fall. When this happens it usually doesn’t result in an injury but it leaves me feeling embarrassed and at times pretty mad. To be honest it’s not really that easy living with a physical disability, in life there are many things I wish I could do, but I am limited by the Muscular Dystrophy and it can be very frustrating. And I am pretty sure many people can understand that living life always needing people’s assistance when it comes to simple tasks like lifting and carrying heavy items to even doing the laundry can leave someone feeling a little frustrated. But for me even in those times I am always able to keep a positive attitude about things, see I believe that if there are things in your life you can’t change then why focus on them. But over the last few years it has been really hard to stay positive when it comes to some of the issue's I have been facing.

You see over the last two years I have faced many challenges related to having Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy, last year I had to leave a well paying job simply because the work I was doing was causing tendinitis in my right arm. Adding to that frustration was the treatment I received from my employer and even some Government agencies, but I will address that at another time. Another issue I was facing was the simple challenges of making it through the winter months with out falling. Ask anyone who knows me this past winter was tough, thanks to slippery parking lots and walkways and many days with high winds and even freezing rain. Sometimes I really wished I didn’t live in Canada during the winter months, but only the lottery can change that. And the craziest thing about this past winter is that I didn't hurt myself out side, but in my apartment when I fell and injured my knee. So pretty much for the rest of the winter I was using a cane to help me get around. Eventually the knee did heal and I was able to go back to walking without a cane, but the whole experience was a real wake up call for me, I realized how quick things can change and how careful I need to be to avoid falls.

With the issue’s I was facing of no longer being able to work and at the same time recovering from the fall I was really at a loss of what to do with myself. It was around this time I started My Becker's Story, simply as a place to post my personal story to use it to help make people aware of what it is like for someone living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy. Over the next few months all that remained on the blog was my personal story, but eventually I realized that maybe it's not enough, I need to do more. So I started to focus on what it was like living with a physical disability. Along with the blog I created the My Becker's Story facebook group page and it was amazing to see how many people were facing some of the very same issue's. Thinking about it the major reason for continuing with My Becker's Story was my participation in the 2010 Walk for Muscular Dystrophy. As many of you know at first I was reluctant to join the walk but after the encouragement and support of my family I attended my first walk. It was amazing to see all the people and to realize how many families just like mine are being affected by Muscular Dystrophy. This made me want to become more involved in spreading the word about Muscular Dystrophy in Canada and around the world.

In Canada the organization that helps to raise awareness and funds to be used to help those living with this disorder is Muscular Dystrophy Canada. And these days I just want to get more involved in helping to spread awareness and raising funds for Muscular Dystrophy. So recently I visited http://www.muscle.ca/ which is the online home for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. I sent them a short e-mail to see if they could send me some donation boxes that I would use to help raise funds by displaying them in a local dental office. They arrived this week and already people are asking about them, so even if we don't raise a lot of funds I believe that these donation boxes will go along way in helping to raise awareness about Muscular Dystrophy. So I encourage those of you out there who may have formed relationships with local businesses to ask and see if they would be willing to display these Muscular Dystrophy of Canada donation boxes. And even if you are outside of Canada please contact one of the organizations found under the Muscular Dystrophy Connect tab or click on the picture below to see how you might be able to get involved.

Muscular Dystrophy and MS are different medical conditions, so why the confusion?

2010-09-17T15:43:00.000-07:00

Currently I am entering my 24th year of living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy, and yes over those years I have faced many challenges and frustrations. One of the issues I have faced through out the years is constantly needing to correct those who think I have MS when I don’t. What I have is called Muscular Dystrophy, and over the years when ever people would asked me about my condition I would tell them I have MD. Sadly though for some reason most people always thought I was saying MS, this happened so much over the years that at one point I actually stopped correcting people. But recently after reading some comments on various facebook pages I found out that other people with Muscular Dystrophy are facing this very same issue.

Early today after talking to a friend of mine they brought up a very good point about this situation, they said that a lot of people now believe that the confusion might be resulting from the use of the initials MD. Many now believe that a lot of the confusion would come to an end if we simply just tell people that we have Muscular Dystrophy. To me this is a great idea, so from here on out I will no longer be using the initials MD to describe what I have.

People need to start understanding the facts that Muscular Dystrophy and MS are two different medical conditions. And for those who don't know the differences between the two I'd like to take the time to explain them. First let's talk about MS, according to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, MS is a disease that is unpredictable, and it affects vision, hearing, memory, balance and mobility.

Now, when it comes to Muscular Dystrophy the issues we face that are very different from those living with Multiple Sclerosis. So what is Muscular Dystrophy? Well according to Muscular Dystrophy Canada it is a condition that comes in many forms such as Duchenne, Becker’s, and Limb Girdle just to name a few. The affects of Muscular Dystrophy range from Joint and Muscle Pain, Leg and Foot Swelling, Muscle Cramping, Changes to Posture, Difficulty Walking, Difficulty Gripping and Holding, Fatigue and can even lead to issue’s with Breathing.

Now when it comes to Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy people with this disorder typically experience progressive muscle weakness of the leg and pelvis muscles, which is associated with a loss of muscle mass. Muscle weakness also occurs in the arms, neck, and other areas, as well as in the lower half of the body. It must be known that Becker's Muscular Dystrophy gets progressively worse and it’s tough to say but over time some of us will eventually end up using a cane or wheelchair. But the truth is most of us with Becker’s are fully capable of living life like any other person, and that includes enjoying a nearly normal lifespan. Sadly though when it comes to other forms of Muscular Dystrophy for some the outlook is very different. That is why I ask everyone to please take the time to learn more about Muscular Dystrophy and also please help and support organizations such as Muscular Dystrophy Canada and other organization around the world who support and fund research into finding a cure for all forms of Muscular Dystrophy.

Eventually I hope that one day when we tell people we have Muscular Dystrophy that they fully understand exactly what it is.

For more info about Muscular Dystrophy go to:

Growing up Iife was pretty good

2010-09-11T10:03:00.000-07:00

When it comes to life and living with a disability sometime’s things can get a little tough, and for some the issue’s they faces can be hard to ignore. When it comes down to it most of us are just like anyone else and we don’t want to let our problems get in they way of us living a somewhat normal life. Sure we can face some major obstacles in life but we don’t let this limit our ability to have fun. For me growing up life was pretty good, and sure I faced some difficulties keeping up and doing the things other kids were doing, but to me I grew up like any other child my age. You see I was able to hang out with my friend’s and do the things most kid’s do. I would hang out at the mall, go to summer camp, and even riding my bike around my old neighbourhood. I was even was able to go to the local amusement park with friends, as you see I was able to do a lot of fun things growing up, and I am sure some people didn’t even know I had Becker's Muscular Dystrophy. And I admit at times I would have to push my self just to keep up, but it was worth it. As you can see I was still able to have a pretty good time, I just knew that I would have to take it easy over the next 2-3 days to fully recover from it. When it comes down to it, growing up things were pretty good, and when I was a child I was fully capable of doing the same things everyone else my age was doing, and sure I had my limitations but I found ways to make it work.

I would have to say at times in my life I have been able to do some pretty amazing things, things most people might not have the courage to do. It’s crazy to think about it but when I was in high school, I really hated having to speak in front of the class, so it might surprise you that I use to perform in a hip-hop group that went by the name of the Urban Prophets. And yes most time’s I was very nervous, but once I got on stage everything was ok. I just made sure our performances were short, so that I wouldn’t face any major issues related to Becker's Muscular Dystrophy. In 2001 I actually was able to recorded a song entitled "After all I’ve been thru" with a few of my friends.

As you can see growing up I refused to allow my condition to hold me back, and sure there were times when it did but even if there were things I couldn’t do, I just accepted them, stayed positive and went on with life. For me my focus over the years has always been to look at the positive and not just the negative things in life. We all know some say "Life is what you make it", and for me I just want to enjoy life while I can, and sure there are things in life I haven’t been able to do yet, but I still have plenty time to accomplish those things. As you can see I don’t intend to allow the Becker`s Muscular Dystrophy to stop me from doing the things I want to do in life. And I know I will face a few obstacles related to the condition but all I can do is live with-in my limits and try and enjoy life. That's what I encourage everyone to do.